diane de saint ouen

handmade gemstone jewelry

 Made in France

about us: home page service/quality charter necklaces bracelets earrings sets gemstones: turquoise tiger eye aventurine snowflake obsidian rose quartz transparent quartz amethyst sodalite gold stone chalcedony lapis lazuli malachite hematite freshwater pearls carnelian leopardskin jasper how to order order form contact us - questions? Mohs' hardness scale

 Gemstones:  Lapis Lazuli                                              

Few gemstones have such an illustrious history in jewelry as this lovely opaque blue stone.  For at least 5000 years, mankind has been inspired to use lapis in medicine and as good luck charms as well as in the decoration of clothing and the body.  Ancient Egyptian pharaohs used lapis scarabs and amulets as a cure for fevers and melancholy.  Powdered lapis used directly on the skin around the eyes was believed to improve eyesight.  Today, as well as being very popular in ethnic jewelry, many believe that lapis aids an individual in relieving migraines as well as augmenting insight and clear mindedness.

Hardness on Mohs' scale:  5.5

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