DECEMBER: LAPIS LAZULI

December has four birthstones: Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Tanzanite and Zircon. Each gemstone is prized for its striking colour and remarkable history in jewellery. From the serene blue of Turquoise and the celestial depth of Lapis Lazuli, to the vivid violet-blue of Tanzanite and the brilliant sparkle of Zircon, December offers one of the most colourful and captivating birthstone collections of the year.

December Birthstone: Lapis Lazuli
December’s other mesmerising birthstone, the majestic Lapis Lazuli, has enchanted civilisations for millennia with its intense celestial blue and glittering flecks of golden pyrite.  The Lapis Lazuli gemstone is famed for its deep royal-blue colour, often described as resembling a midnight sky dusted with stars.  The name Lapis Lazuli derives from the Latin lapis meaning “stone” and the Persian lazhuward meaning “blue.”  For thousands of years this extraordinary gemstone has been prized for its colour and rarity. Indeed, finely ground Lapis Lazuli produced ultramarine pigment, once one of the most expensive pigments in the world, reserved for the most revered works of art and sacred imagery.

Healing Properties:
Lapis Lazuli has long been associated with wisdom, truth and spiritual insight. Traditionally believed to encourage clarity of thought and inner harmony, this deep blue gemstone laced with golden Pyrite has been regarded as a stone of enlightenment and self-awareness.  In short: sport Lapis Lazuli and let wisdom, confidence and a little celestial glamour shine through, showcasing one’s divine importance!

Potted History & Magical Myths:
Few gemstones possess a history as rich as Lapis Lazuli. The stone has been treasured for over 6,000 years, with some of the earliest examples discovered in the ancient mines of Badakhshan in Afghanistan, which remain one of the world’s primary sources today.  The Ancient Egyptians held Lapis Lazuli in the highest esteem, using the gemstone in jewellery, amulets and sacred objects.  It famously adorns the burial treasures of Tutankhamun, including the spectacular gold funerary mask.

Beyond jewellery, Lapis Lazuli played a crucial role in History of Art.  When ground into powder it produced ultramarine, the luminous blue pigment used in some of the most important paintings of the medieval and Renaissance periods.  Due to its exorbitant cost, this pigment was often reserved for depicting the robes of the Virgin Mary, symbolising purity, sanctity and divine importance.

From pharaohs and emperors to artists and collectors, Lapis Lazuli has long been revered as one of the world’s most beautiful and historically significant gemstones.

Description: 

Birthstone: December
Wedding Anniversary: 9^th Wedding Anniversary
Colour: Deep royal blue with golden pyrite inclusions
Origin: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Chile, Russia
Mineral Family: Rock composed primarily of Lazurite, Calcite and Pyrite
Chemical Formula: (Na,Ca)₈(AlSiO₄)₆(S,SO₄,Cl)₂
Mohs Hardness: Hardness Scale 5-5.5