Know Your Stones ~ Lapis Lazuli

I often joke that I've never met a bead, or a gemstone, that I didn't love. It's the truth, but there are definitely some that I love more than others. I thought it would be fun to feature my favorites. Many people are captivated by the lore behind gemstones. Some truly believe that they hold special or mythical properties.

The gorgeous stone you see in these earrings is called Lapis Lazuli. It is known for its deep blue color, and is often characterized by flecks of gold, which are Pyrite. The name comes from the Latin word for "stone" and the Arabic word for "blue". In ancient times, lapis was considered as valuable as gold. Today most Lapis Lazuli comes from Afghanistan. It is a rock, not a mineral, and it has a hardness of between 5 and 6 on the Mohs scale.

Lapis Lazuli is the birthstone of December. It is regarded by many as the stone of friendship and truth. It is said to encourage harmony in relationships and help its wearer to be authentic and give his or her opinion openly. (I can think of a few who would benefit from this!) I think I love it because it reminds me of a starry night sky. That's the hopeless romantic in me talking :)

The beautiful earrings you see pictured above were created by the ever talented Alison Kelley. I've coveted them ever since I saw them. You can see also see them here.