Lapis Lazuli Jewelry

In ancient Egypt lapis lazuli was a favorite stone for amulets and ornaments such as scarabs. Lapis jewelry has been found at excavations of Predynastic Egyptian site Naqada (3300-3100 B.C.).
Cleopatra reportedly used powdered lapis as eyeshadow.

As inscribed in the Egyptian Book of the Dead, lapis lazuli, in the shape of an eye set in gold, was considered an amulet of great power.

It was used by the Assyrians and Babylonians for seals. The ancient royal Sumerian tombs of Ur, located near the Euphrates River in lower Iraq, contained more than 6000 beautiful lapis statuettes of birds, deer, and rodents, plus dishes, beads, and cylinder seals. These carved artifacts undoubtedly came from material mined in Badakhshan in northern Afghanistan. Sumerian and Akkadian poetry makes reference to lapis lazuli as a gem befitting royal splendor.

Romans believed that lapis was a powerful aphrodisiac. In the Middle Ages, it was thought to keep the limbs healthy, and free the soul from error, envy and fear.

It was once believed that lapis had medicinal properties. It was powdered, mixed with milk and applied as a dressing for boils and ulcers.

Please join me in exploring the lure, and legend, of this beautiful blue stone.