All about Labradorite and Lapis Lazuli, the birthstones for September.
If you were born in September, then Labradorite and Lapis Lazuli are both your birthstones, lucky you!
Labradorite is a beautiful gemstone, which can appear in many different colours. The colours range from an iridescent green, vivid blue, grey, or clear. The different tones are visible depending on the angle of the view and how the light hits the stone. This gives Labradorite a mystical appearance.
Lapis Lazuli has different shades of a deep, intense blue, containing gold flecks of Pyrite. This gives Lapis the desirable rich and ‘God like’ appearance and is known to be compared with the stars in the sky. Some call it the ‘sky stone’ or ‘heaven stone’.
Both stones are very popular at Silver Scene and are big favourites of our staff and customers alike. We have many magical Labradorite and Lapis designs to ensure you look extra fabulous in every outfit.
Labradorite
Facts
Labradorite is a member of the Feldspar family and is treasured for its remarkable play of colour, known as labradorescence.
It was first discovered in Labrador, Canada, by Moravian missionaries in 1770. It has also been found in Finland, China, Australia, Madagascar and many other places around the world.
The stone occurs in mafic igneous rocks, such as basalt and norite which are the most abundant group of minerals in the Earth’s crust. The stone is made up of thin layers of different minerals. The light travels through these layers and breaks up the white light into the colours of the rainbow, this then bounces back, and the light is absorbed. The colours are not in the stone but reflected from the scattering light. It’s the only gemstone that can show the whole spectrum of colours, hence why Labradorite is often called "Rainbow Moonstone".
What makes Labradorite so special, is that there are no two gemstones exactly the same!
Examples of Labradorite labradorescence in some of our designs.
History and Legends
Labradorite is a stone that has been valued by many different cultures.
It has a strong connection to the Aurora Borealis. It was used to honour the Welsh Goddess of the Moon and Stars, Arianrhod, who was believed to live in a castle in the Northern Sky surrounded by the Northern Lights.
Because of its iridescent shimmering appearance, the Innuit people also believed that Labradorite was the Northern Lights trapped in stones.
In Oriental culture the gem was known as a dazzling ‘phenomenal gem’ and to be worn on Saturdays for health and to bring good luck to the wearer.
The Ancient Indians also used Labradorite to increase their metabolism and reduce menstruation pain.
Healing Properties and Beliefs
Labradorite is known to offer protection to its wearer. It’s also thought to enhance mental and intuitive abilities. It calms an overactive mind and energizes the imagination, bringing in new ideas.
The stone is believed to be very handy for people who suffer from insomnia. By keeping the stone close to the bed, it will help to relax the mind and have a better night’s sleep (worth a try!).
It is said to be a stone of transformation and assists when going through a significant change in the cycle of life. It helps to reduce feelings of anxiety and replaces them with confidence.
Lapis Lazuli
Facts
Lapis is primarily mined in Afghanistan and has been for the last 6000 years. It can also be found in Siberia, Chile, the U.S, Pakistan and Canada.
Lapis Lazuli is famous for its deep blue colour with golden flecks of Pyrite. When mined in Chile, the colour is usually a paler blue. Here at Silver Scene we love all the beautiful tones of the rock. Every stone is magnificent in its own special way.
The gemstone is a metamorphic rock that contains Lazurite. Lapis is a rock, not a mineral, but it does contain minerals such as Calcite and Pyrite. It forms near limestone and crystalline marble due to the contact of metamorphism. The intense blue colour is due to the trisulfur radical anion in the crystal.
Some of our Lapis Lazuli designs.
History and Legends
Lapis was highly valued by the Egyptians. The golden sarcophagus of King Tutankhamen was richly inlaid in Lapis. It was used extensively in scarabs and jewellery and also ground into powder for dyes, eye shadow and medicinal elixirs.
In Ancient Persia it was the symbol for the starry night, in the Islamic Orient it was used as protection from the evil eye and in Roman times it was used as an ornamental stone.
It was even a favourite of the painter, Michelangelo, who used it in his painting, ground into powder it produced an intense, but expensive, ultramarine colour.
Healing Properties and Beliefs
Lapis is known as the stone of truth and is thought to positively influence friendships and honesty. Lapis is believed to promote intellectual ability, creativity and help to enhance the memory. It carries positive energy and it helps to overcome trauma, depression and grief.
The stone is said to help with boosting the immune system and like Labradorite, Lapis is known to also treat insomnia.
Wearing the gemstone attracts good luck and fortune. It is thought to help in guiding the wearer on the right path to success and identify new ideas with 'out of the box' thinking.
Lapis Lazuli is a powerful stone with a high vibration, that can be transferred to you and those you come into contact with.
