As highly praised as gemstones like the sapphire, ruby or emerald may be, they still cannot reach the deepness and intensity of color lapis-lazuli stone has been endowed with. What was known as the most expensive blue in the world, the very hue of this rock has fascinated a great deal of artists and men of letters throughout the history, for which reason it is almost ubiquitously present in masterpieces all over the world.

The great poet William Butler Yeats went as far as to dedicate a whole ode to lapis-lazuli, while Old Masters in painting have used it to create the ultramarine hue that enhanced their masterpieces in oil or watercolor. And mentioning the fact that many pictures of the Madonna were created by using ultramarine paint, exclusively made from ultramarine, will definitely make the lapis-lazuli rock go right to the top of gemstones.

This gemstone that seems to have deserted the Arabian Nights stories setting to come into our lives to make them more colorful and peaceful is considered by many the quintessence of blue color, especially as its very name could be translated as 'blue stone' - where 'lapis' is borrowed from Latin and means 'stone', while 'lazuli' is borrowed from the Arabic word 'lazula', which means 'blue'. And how could it not epitomize the beauty and grandeur of the color of the sky and the seas, when a simple look at its deep blue hue calms and relaxes us and causes us to bear its image in our memory for ever and never to be forgotten?

History. The stone that has been worn as adornment by numerous kings and queens could never pass as insignificant throughout history. It is mentioned countless times in the Epic of Ghilgamesh, in Robert Browning's lyrics and in DH Lawrence's Women in Love famous novel to mention just a few great masters who praised this stone and who did not forget to pay infinite compliments to the color with which it enriches our lives. Lapis-Lazuli could be considered a genuine beauty of nature and one of the things that are the pure illustration of splendidness. Maybe this is also the reason why William Butler Yeats has dedicated it a whole poem that wears the very name of the blue rock. These are only a few lyrics from the Lapis-Lazuli:

"Every discoloration of the stone,

Every accidental crack or dent,

Seems a water-course or an avalanche,

Or lofty slope where it still snows

Though doubtless plum or cherry-branch

Sweetens the little half-way house..."

Variety. We could not say that lapis-lazuli is endowed with a great variety of shades, as it does not come in various colors and patterns. However, what need of this would there be, when the deep blue hue of this stone is able to mesmerize us at the first glance we take at it? The stone was mined for the first time more than 5000 years ago in the North-eastern part of Afghanistan, in the steep Hindu Kush. Other very important deposits of lapis-lazuli are in Mongolia, Canada, Pakistan, Myanmar, the US and Italy.

Lore and therapeutic uses. Lapis-lazuli gemstone is mainly used in complementary therapy to help people who cannot find their way in life achieve balance, harmony and equilibrium. Therefore, it is very beneficial against any type of emotional disorders, including anxiety and depression. It can also enhance positive feelings and emotions, boost self-confidence and increase mental awareness by helping one overcome his fears and weaknesses and make him more courageous and audacious.

Lapis-Lazuli is also the lucky gemstone for the following signs: Sagittarius (in the European horoscope) and Rabbit (in the Chinese horoscope).