Lapis lazuli, also called lapis lazuli or lazulum stone, is a naturally blue rough stone. The term comes from Latin and is composed of lapis (= stone) and lazulum (= blue). Lapis lazuli jewellery is jewellery made of precious stones, which, due to their blue colouring, are among the first pieces of jewellery in antiquity.

Whether as a necklace, pendant or ear stud - there are traditions of jewellery made from the stone lapis lazuli as a necklace, ring or even bracelet that go far back into Greek and Roman history. This valuable stone has been in use for around 7,000 historical years of antique jewellery craftsmanship. Sensational lapis lazuli art can be admired in the Roman church "Il Gesù". There, the altar of the St. Ignatius Chapel is decorated with lapis lazuli columns and a lapis blue globe set in real gold. Speaking of art, do you know the girl with the pearl earring? In this painting of the golden age, the blue colour pigments are extracted from the same mineral found in lapis lazuli.

Not quite so far from Antique Jewellery Berlin, in Potsdam's "Orangerieschloss", a veritable lapis lazuli room with exuberantly decorated furniture and jewellery was created in the 19th century. In addition, there are numerous finds, such as lapis lazuli on the mask of the pharaoh Tutankhamun, which prove the high value that was attributed to this stone. The so-called Lapis Lazuli Road stretched from Egypt through Mesopotamia to Afghanistan around 3,000 BC and with it the boundless enthusiasm for lapis lazuli jewellery. Not surprisingly, lapis lazuli has many devotees. Take a look at our selection of jewellery and fall in love with this bejewelled gemstone! Perhaps you are looking for a lapis lazuli necklace?

Glaze, lapis, lazuli - one and the same?

One of the main components of genuine lapis lazuli is the mineral lasurite in the rock, which is why lapis lazuli gemstone is often referred to as lasurite. The intense blue colour is value-determining and is due to the radical anions of the element sulphur. Deep blue lapis lazuli was already very popular in antiquity and is still very much in demand today. This blue radiant gemstone has an undisputedly high power of attraction. The special colour has always distinguished lapis lazuli as a sought-after gemstone. Unlike a sapphire, which belongs to the blue minerals and is translucent, a genuine lapis lazuli gemstone is opaque. Lapis lazuli in itself is not a mineral, but a rock with the special property that this elegantly blue shining stone combines several minerals like lasurite.

Lapis lazuli jewellery with gold: a perfect pairing

Lapis lazuli jewellery is especially often worked with gold, occasionally also with sterling silver. Gemstones and precious metals simply go together perfectly. Lapis lazuli often has gold-coloured spots or veins. This is no cause for alarm, but quite the opposite, a regular proof of authenticity. A setting in the form of a gold necklace really caresses the gemstone, as does a ring. The lapis lazuli itself is usually processed via a cabochon cut, also called pearl cut. Gold and the dreamlike blue lapis lazuli together form a perfect pair!

Shape & colour variety of lapis lazuli

In addition to the essential identifying feature of the colour blue as the basic tone, there are also colour variants with golden expression due to pyrite or white spots in the rock due to calcite. The intensity of the blue colour in lapis lazuli varies depending on the percentage of the following minerals:

• Lasurite
• Hauyn
• Sodalite
• Diopside
• Afghanite
• Amphiboles
• Feldspäte
• Mica
• Apatite
• Titanite
• Zircon
• Pyrite

Lasurite is said to have an increased proportion of about 25 to 40 percent. Due to its many components, the lapis lazuli gemstone is also classified as a rock. Rule of thumb: The darker blue the gemstone, the more valuable in design. If you want to buy lapis lazuli jewellery, a jewellery expert can give you expert advice on the stones' value.

Lapis jewellery: myths and legends

Lapis lazuli is not only used as a decorative gemstone, but also as a healing stone. Depending on the culture and the history of the time, different properties are attributed to this stone, all of which are of a positive nature. The fact that jewellery with lapis lazuli is said to have such healing powers may be due, among other things, to its strong colouring. A high-quality lapis lazuli gemstone has an intense, ultramarine blue colour.

Lapis and love

Fun Fact: It is also interesting that lapis jewellery is traditionally given as a gift on the 32nd wedding anniversary. In this context, one speaks of a soap or lapis lazuli wedding. No matter which wedding anniversary it is, lapis lazuli jewellery is definitely worth considering as a gift for your loved one, whether as a ring to renew your wedding vows or in the form of blue earrings whose stones shine as beautifully as the eyes of the recipient. Perhaps you would like to buy some unique antique engagement rings? You can be sure of one thing: Your loved one will make eyes at you.

Buy jewellery and rings with lapis lazuli

There are versatile uses for lapis lazuli: jewellery such as a ring with lapis lazuli, a lapis earring or even a decorative pearl necklace are real eye-catchers and always elegant. Antique jewellery and vintage jewellery made of genuine lapis lazuli or glaze stone delight us today as they did in the past, be it as a precious bracelet, as necklaces or colliers or in cufflinks.

Be inspired by the beauty of other gemstones: discover the inspiring variety of our selection of gemstone jewellery or birthstone jewellery.