Lapis Lazuli Crystal Meaning: Healing Properties, Benefits & Uses

What does lapis lazuli mean? Lapis lazuli is the stone of truth and wisdom. This deep blue stone, flecked with golden pyrite, is linked with the throat and third eye chakras, honest communication and intuition, and it has been treasured for more than 6,000 years. It is also a traditional alternative birthstone for September.

What is Lapis Lazuli?

Lapis lazuli, often just called lapis, is a deep blue rock made mostly of the mineral lazurite, with white streaks of calcite and golden flecks of pyrite that make it look like a starry night sky. It has been mined in the mountains of Afghanistan for more than 6,000 years and is known as the "stone of truth", a symbol of wisdom, honesty and self-expression. Its name comes from the Latin lapis, meaning "stone", and the Persian lāzhward, which also gave us the word "azure". Today, lapis lazuli is also found in Chile and Russia.

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The History of Lapis Lazuli

• Ancient Mesopotamia: the Sumerians carved it into jewellery and seals and linked it with the goddess Inanna.

• Ancient Egypt: set into royal treasures, including Tutankhamun's burial mask.

• The Renaissance: ground into ultramarine paint, once more precious than gold, and used by Michelangelo and Vermeer.

• Today: worn as jewellery and kept close in meditation as a stone of truth and wisdom.

The rich history of lapis lazuli spans millennia, with lapis lazuli found in artefacts from the ancient world. In ancient Egypt, lapis lazuli was treasured by Ancient Egyptians for its deep blue colour, often ground into lapis lazuli stones for pigments used in art and burial ornaments, such as those adorning pharaohs’ tombs. Lapis lazuli symbolised divine connection, with its lapis lazuli meaning linked to the Sumerian goddess Inanna, representing power and protection. In ancient Persia, the Persian word lazhuward inspired its name, and lapis lazuli was crafted into cylinder seals, signifying authority. The Roman Empire valued this blue stone for its religious significance, incorporating lapis lazuli stones into sacred spaces.

During the Middle Ages, lapis lazuli’s beautiful blue was ground into ultramarine pigment, famously used in the Sistine Chapel, showcasing its enduring allure. Artists and healers revered this deep blue stone for its ability to inspire and shield against negative energy. Today, lapis lazuli remains a popular stone in gemstone jewellery and spiritual practices, its lapis lazuli meaning rooted in emotional healing and spiritual growth, making it a cornerstone of modern crystal healing.

Lapis Lazuli Associations

• Chakras: Third Eye Chakra, Throat Chakra

• Birthstone: September (traditional)

• Zodiac: Sagittarius, Libra

• Planet: Jupiter

• Element: Air

• Numerical Vibration: Number 3

• Typical Colours: Deep blue with gold flecks

Lapis Lazuli Stone Benefits

Lapis lazuli is one of the most potent precious stones for unlocking inner vision and truth. This deep blue stone radiates healing properties, fostering emotional balance and spiritual growth. Lapis lazuli stones are celebrated for their connection to the third eye chakra, enhancing intuition, and the throat chakra, promoting honest communication. As a protection stone, lapis lazuli’s starry night appearance inspires inner peace, making it a cherished stone for those seeking clarity and enlightenment.

Everyday Lapis Lazuli Benefits

• Royal Confidence: Pop on lapis lazuli and channel your inner pharaoh. This is a stone for standing tall and speaking up.

• Calm, Clear Energy: Its deep blue feels like a slow breath of midnight air, perfect for moments when life gets loud.

• An Evening Ritual Favourite: Many lapis lovers keep it close at the end of the day, a little piece of night sky for winding down under the stars.

• A Daily Touchstone: Hold it, wear it, or simply admire those golden flecks as a reminder to stay true to yourself.

The everyday benefits of lapis lazuli are all about how it makes you feel. This deep blue stone brings a sense of calm, courage and quiet magic to ordinary days. Wear it when you want to feel grounded yet a touch celestial, and let its starry sparkle do the rest.

Mental and Emotional Healing Properties

• Enhances Clarity: Lapis lazuli boosts mental focus, aiding decision-making and problem-solving.

• Promotes Emotional Healing: This stone dissolves emotional blockages, fostering balance and calm.

• Encourages Self-Expression: Lapis lazuli’s throat chakra connection supports honest communication.

• Invites Calm: Its serene energy helps clear negative energy and brings a sense of tranquillity.

Mentally, lapis lazuli is a beacon of clarity, enhancing intellectual ability and sharpening focus. Its emotional healing properties help release emotional blockages, making it ideal for those seeking emotional balance. By activating the throat chakra, lapis lazuli encourages authentic self-expression, whilst its connection to the third eye chakra fosters inner vision, guiding you toward inner truth.

Metaphysical Properties

• Stimulates Intuition: Lapis lazuli’s third eye chakra alignment enhances psychic abilities and insight.

• Fosters Spiritual Growth: This highly spiritual stone deepens meditation and spiritual awareness.

• Amplifies Energy: Lapis lazuli metaphysical properties cleanse and align energies, uplifting the aura.

• Protects Against Negativity: As a protection stone, lapis lazuli shields from harmful energies.

Lapis Lazuli metaphysical properties make it a cornerstone for spiritual seekers. This deep blue stone enhances intuition through the eye chakra, opening pathways to higher consciousness. Lapis lazuli’s starry night energy supports spiritual growth, deepening meditation and fostering connection to the divine. As a popular stone, lapis lazuli amplifies positive vibrations, with its metaphysical properties shielding against negative energy, making it essential for energy work.

Zodiac Birthstone

• Sagittarius: Lapis lazuli enhances truth-seeking and wisdom for this sign.

• Libra: Supports balance and harmony, aligning with Libra’s nature.

Lapis lazuli is one of September’s traditional birthstones, resonating with Sagittarius and Libra. For Sagittarians, this blue stone amplifies their quest for inner truth, whilst Librans benefit from lapis lazuli’s ability to promote emotional balance and harmony, aligning with its lapis lazuli meaning of enlightenment.

Curious which stones suit your sign? Have a wander through our guide to gemstone jewellery for your zodiac sign.

Using Lapis Lazuli

• Meditation: Deepens focus and third eye chakra connection.

• Healing Practices: Amplifies energy in spiritual sessions.

• Talisman: Carried for protection and clarity.

• Decoration: Enhances spaces with celestial blue energy.

Home & Office

Lapis lazuli in the home or office creates an atmosphere of wisdom and calm. Its vibrant blue hue, reminiscent of the night sky, inspires creativity and focus. Placing this deep blue stone in workspaces or meditation areas enhances intellectual ability and shields against negative energy, making lapis lazuli a perfect addition to any environment.

Jewellery

Lapis lazuli jewellery, such as necklaces or bracelets, is both stunning and meaningful. Wearing this beautiful blue stone keeps its healing properties close, supporting the third eye and throat chakra for clarity and communication. Lapis lazuli jewellery is a timeless way to embody its starry night energy daily. Our lapis pieces include hand carved lapis lazuli wolf necklaces and crescent moon pendants.

How to Cleanse Your Lapis Lazuli Gemstone

• Running Water: Rinse with lukewarm water to cleanse lapis lazuli.

• Moonlight: Charge lapis lazuli under the night sky to recharge its energy.

• Smudging: Use sage to clear energies with a soft cloth to finish.

• Selenite: Rest on selenite to revitalise this deep blue stone.

To cleanse Lapis Lazuli, rinse it briefly under lukewarm water, ensuring minimal exposure to preserve its rich blue hues. Charge lapis lazuli in moonlight to enhance its starry night connection. Smudging with sage and wiping with a soft cloth clears energies, whilst placing it on selenite rejuvenates this highly spiritual stone.

For more ways to keep your stones sparkling with good energy, see our guide to cleansing your crystals.

Geological Properties of Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is a metamorphic rock primarily composed of lazurite, giving it its iconic deep blue hue. Pyrite inclusions create golden flecks, whilst calcite adds white streaks. With a Mohs hardness scale rating of 5–5.5, lapis lazuli requires careful handling to avoid scratches on this soft stone.

Final Thoughts on Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli, a deep blue stone that mirrors the night sky, is more than a beautiful gem. Its rich history—from Ancient Egyptians to the Sistine Chapel—highlights its timeless appeal. Lapis lazuli meaning centres on inner truth, spiritual growth, and emotional healing, making it a highly spiritual stone for modern seekers. Whether used in meditation, gemstone jewellery, or as a protection stone, lapis lazuli’s vibrant blue hue and golden flecks inspire clarity and peace. This blue stone reminds us of the wisdom within, connecting us to the starry night of our inner vision.

If lapis lazuli has cast its spell on you, you may also love our guides to blue sapphire, blue lace agate, amazonite and labradorite.

Lapis Lazuli FAQs

• What is lapis lazuli used for? Lapis lazuli is used for its healing properties, promoting intuition, communication, and emotional healing through the third eye and throat chakra.

• Can lapis lazuli go in water? Briefly, yes, to cleanse lapis lazuli, but avoid prolonged exposure to prevent damage to this metamorphic rock.

• Is lapis lazuli a natural stone? Yes, real lapis lazuli is a naturally occurring stone, though beware of fake lapis dyed to mimic its deep blue hue.

• How do you identify real lapis lazuli? Look for its deep blue colour, golden flecks from pyrite inclusions, and a Mohs hardness scale of 5–5.5. Fake lapis lacks these traits.

• Can lapis lazuli be worn every day? Lapis lazuli jewellery is safe for daily wear with care, as its Mohs hardness scale indicates softness.

• How does lapis lazuli affect the chakras? Lapis lazuli aligns with the third eye chakra for intuition and the throat chakra for expression.

• What is the Mohs hardness scale of lapis lazuli? Lapis lazuli rates 5–5.5, making it a delicate stone.

• Does lapis lazuli fade in sunlight? Prolonged sunlight may dull its rich blue hues, so limit exposure.

• Is lapis lazuli rare? High-quality lapis lazuli is found in limited regions, like Afghanistan, making it prized among precious stones.

• Can lapis lazuli help with studying? Many students keep lapis on their desk as a symbol of wisdom and clear thinking.

• What does lapis lazuli do? In crystal tradition, lapis lazuli is a stone of truth and wisdom. It's linked to the throat and third eye chakras, so people wear it to encourage honest communication, confidence in speaking up and a deeper sense of intuition.

• Is lapis lazuli good for women? Lapis has a long connection with powerful women and goddesses, from the Sumerian Inanna to Egyptian royalty, who are said to have worn powdered lapis as eyeshadow. Today it's a favourite for anyone who wants to feel confident, speak their truth and trust their intuition.

• What's the difference between lapis lazuli and sodalite? Both are blue, but lapis is a brighter, more even blue with gold pyrite flecks, while sodalite is usually darker with white veining and no gold.

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