Why Cleopatra Loved Lapis Lazuli Stone – The Ancient Gem of Royalty, Enlightenment, and Spiritual Growth

Lapis Lazuli is a royal gemstone and this gemstone helps spiritual growth and stress relief, and in this modern time, Lapis Lazuli is in high demand. This gemstone also helps in truth and enlightenment, and people believe it brings "Raj Yog," abundance, and success. For achieving growth in corporate life, many keep this gemstone in their home or office where they spend most of their time.

Its deep blue hue with golden flecks symbolizes wisdom, power, and prosperity. Known since ancient civilizations for its beauty and strength, Lapis Lazuli was treasured by kings, queens, and spiritual healers alike its rich historical significance we cover in this blog.

In ancient times, not everyone could own lapis lazuli because it was extremely rare and difficult to acquire, making it a valuable status symbol reserved for royalty, religious figures, and the wealthy. The stone's intense blue color, scattered with shimmering golden flecks of pyrite, gave it both a regal and divine appearance. Many ancient civilizations saw this radiant blue as the color of the heavens, a symbol of truth, wisdom, and immortality. Historical texts and mystical beliefs describe that those who wear or carry lapis lazuli are blessed by divine favor, and some even wrote that it ensures a soul’s passage to heaven.

The Ancient Allure and Cleopatra’s Love for Lapis Lazuli

No story of lapis lazuli is complete without mentioning Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. Cleopatra, known for her legendary beauty, intelligence, and mysticism, adored lapis lazuli more than almost any other gem. She crushed the gem into a fine powder to use as eyeshadow, believing it enhanced her divine aura and granted her spiritual insight. Lapis was also believed to connect the wearer to the gods, and Cleopatra used it not just for beauty but also as a protective talisman to enhance her power and wisdom.

Egyptians believed lapis had the ability to bridge the human soul with the divine, making it a doorway to higher realms. Cleopatra saw this gemstone as an emblem of royalty and protection. In her time, only the royal family and priests could use lapis lazuli. Amulets, figurines, and even royal tomb decorations were crafted from it. The famous Eye of Horus, representing protection and good health, was often inlaid with sacred lapis.

Archaeologists have discovered that many ornaments found in ancient Egyptian burial chambers, including those of Pharaohs, contained lapis lazuli inlaid with gold. To Cleopatra, wearing lapis was not only a statement of her status but also a way to shield herself from evil energies, attract devotion, and maintain divine wisdom in leadership.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Lapis lazuli has always symbolized inner truth, awareness, and enlightenment. The deep ultramarine blue represents the night sky filled with limitless potential and wisdom. The golden flecks of pyrite resemble stars in that heavenly expanse, symbolizing divine illumination and connection to cosmic energies.

In spiritual traditions across many cultures:

• In Ancient Egypt: Lapis represented the heavens and was used to open one’s spiritual vision.
• In Mesopotamia and Sumeria: Kings and queens wore lapis for protection and divine communication.
• In Buddhism: Lapis is said to bring inner peace and activate compassion.
• In medieval Europe: It was ground into pigments for holy paintings and manuscripts, so sacred that its color ultramarine was reserved for portraits of the Virgin Mary.

Mystically, lapis lazuli is often linked to the third eye chakra (Ajna), located between the eyebrows the center of intuition and inner vision. Meditating with lapis encourages self-awareness, clarity, and spiritual growth.

Where Lapis Lazuli Is Found

The finest and most coveted lapis lazuli comes from Badakhshan, Afghanistan, a region famous for producing gem-grade lapis for over 6,000 years. The mines in Sar-e-Sang have been the primary source since ancient times and continue to produce some of the best material even today.

Other notable sources include:

• Chile: Produces lighter blue lapis with white(calcite) inclusions; great for carvings and beads.
• Russia (Lake Baikal): Known for rich blue stones, slightly different in grain and luster.
• Pakistan: Produces lapis similar to Afghan quality but with more pyrite.
• United States (California and Colorado): Small deposits, used mostly for jewelry craft.

Among them, Afghan lapis is considered the premium quality, marked by an intense royal blue color with fine, evenly distributed specks of gold and minimal white calcite streaks.

How to Identify Real vs. Fake Lapis Lazuli

Because of its immense beauty and value, lapis lazuli is often imitated using dyed stones or synthetic materials. To ensure you’re purchasing genuine lapis lazuli, here are key identification tips.

1. Color and Tone

• Real Lapis Lazuli: Displays an even, deep blue to royal blue tone with subtle golden pyrite specks that shimmer like stars.
• Fake Lapis (Dyed Stone or Glass): May appear bright blue or overly uniform with no natural variations. Dyed stones often look too perfect.

2. Texture and Inclusions

• Real Lapis: Has tiny gold-like dots (pyrite) and occasional white patches (calcite). These inclusions are natural.
• Fake Lapis: May look glossy and smooth like glass, without any texture. Plastic or resin imitations are lighter in weight.

3. Scratch or Pin Test

Real lapis is relatively hard (Mohs hardness ~5 to 5.5) but not as hard as quartz. You can scratch it slightly with a knife if powdered residue appears blue, it’s likely dyed. Real lapis will not easily release color.

4. Dye Test

Rub a cotton swab soaked in acetone or alcohol over the surface.

• If the blue color transfers: It’s dyed.
• If no color comes off: It’s probably natural.

5. Temperature Test

Natural lapis feels cool when touched and warms slowly when held. Fake lapis (plastic or resin) tends to feel lighter and warmer at once.

When buying, always demand genuine certification from a trusted seller, especially for high-quality jewelry or sculptures.

Caring for Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli is semi-soft and porous, so it needs special care to maintain its natural glow and cosmic energy.

Handling and Cleaning Tips:

• Avoid harsh chemicals: Never use ultrasonic cleaners, acids, or soapy detergents. Clean gently with a soft, damp cloth.
• Avoid immersion in water: Lapis can absorb moisture, dulling its surface.
• Store separately: Keep it in a soft pouch to avoid scratches from harder stones.
• Repolishing: If it loses shine, you can lightly polish with a dry soft cloth or get it re-polished by a gem specialist.

Recharging and Cleansing Methods

Lapis lazuli absorbs energies from its surroundings and needs to be cleansed and recharged occasionally to maintain its spiritual vibration.

1. Smoke Cleansing

Burn sandalwood, sage, or palo santo and pass the stone through the smoke for 30–60 seconds while setting an intention for it to release any stored negativity.

2. Moonlight Bath

Place the gemstone under the light of the full moon overnight, especially on a clear night. The gentle lunar energy recharges its calming and spiritual properties.

3. Selenite or Clear Quartz Method

Keep your lapis on a selenite plate or beside clear quartz crystals for 6–8 hours. Selenite’s purifying vibration cleanses and re-energizes without water or sunlight.

4. Intent and Sound Cleansing

Chanting mantras, using a tuning fork, or playing singing bowls near the stone can also cleanse its vibration. This resonates especially well with lapis since it is connected to the throat chakra.

Avoid:

• Sunlight exposure for long periods (it may fade the blue color).
• Saltwater cleansing (salt can damage the surface).

Spiritual and Healing Benefits

Lapis lazuli is known as the Stone of Wisdom, Truth, and Communication. It stimulates clarity of thought and helps express inner truth.

Emotional Healing:

• Calms emotional turmoil and relieves stress.
• Helps release suppressed feelings or unspoken words.
• Encourages honesty and empathy in relationships.

Physical Healing:

• Relieves headaches and tension (especially placed on the forehead or worn near the neck).
• Believed to aid in thyroid regulation and support the immune system.

Spiritual Effects:

• Opens the third eye chakra, enhancing intuition and perception.
• Deepens meditation and attunes the mind to spiritual guidance.
• Promotes harmony and protection from psychic attacks.

Lapis Lazuli in Home, Office, and Meditation Spaces

Placing lapis lazuli as a gem décor or carving can transform the energy of your living environment. Because of its high spiritual vibration, lapis radiates positivity, peace, and wisdom.

For the Home:

• A lapis sphere radiates calm energy in every direction, helping reduce chaos and tension in the household.
• Carvings or pyramids made of lapis placed near the entrance invite truth and harmony.
• Keep a small lapis stone in your bedroom or near your prayer altar to promote spiritual insight and peaceful dreams.

For the Office or Workspace:

• Place a lapis point or tumbled stone near your desk or computer to stimulate clear communication, honesty, and decision-making.
• It encourages fair leadership, wisdom, and diplomacy, especially useful for managers, teachers, or artists.

For Meditation Areas:

• Sit with a lapis palm stone or hold a bead mala during meditation to deepen spiritual connection.
• Place it on your forehead (third eye chakra) to enhance focus, psychic awareness, and intuitive visions.

Feng Shui and Metaphysical Positioning

In Feng Shui, lapis lazuli’s water element enhances both wisdom and calm energy flow. It is best placed in the north sector of your home or office to promote career growth and life direction. You can also keep it in the east corner for health and family harmony, or in the center to balance energy throughout your space.

Forms and Uses of Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli is versatile it can be worn, displayed, or meditated upon.

1. Jewelry:

Wear it as pendants, bracelets, or rings to stay attuned to its vibration of truth and courage. Gold and silver enhance its elegance and conductivity of energy.

2. Carvings and Spheres:

Lapis spheres radiate harmony, while carvings (like angels, pyramids, or deities) amplify spirituality. Keep these in your sacred space or near your bed.

3. Points and Towers:

Use lapis points in meditation arrangements to channel wisdom and clarity. Place the pointed end upward to direct energy flow toward higher goals.

4. Crystal Grids:

Combine lapis lazuli with clear quartz, amethyst, or sodalite for strengthening the mind, communication, and intuition.

Psychological and Lifestyle Influence

Beyond spirituality, lapis lazuli uplifts self-expression and confidence. It promotes honesty with oneself and others ideal for teachers, counselors, artists, or writers. Wearing it regularly inspires courage to speak one’s truth calmly and clearly.

Symbolically, it reminds you to look inward for answers, aligning inner truth with outer action. Its calming presence reduces overthinking and fear of communication, making relationships and professional decisions more authentic and balanced.

Premium Quality Lapis Lazuli

What defines a premium lapis stone?

• Rich Blue Hue: Uniform, deep royal blue with slight violet undertone.
• Fine Golden Pyrite Sparkles: Evenly scattered, with no dark blotches.
• Minimal White Veins: Little to no calcite streaking.
• Smooth Finish: Polished seamlessly, often reflecting natural elegance without needing enhancement.

Lapis Lazuli Astrologically, Lapis Lazuli is associated with the planets Saturn and Jupiter, bringing benefits like wisdom, self-control, and focus from Saturn, and intelligence, success, and abundance from Jupiter. Known as a royal stone, it is deeply connected with enlightenment, truth, and higher consciousness.

This gemstone promotes self-awareness, spiritual connection, and protection from negative energies. It is especially beneficial for those born under the zodiac signs Capricorn and Aquarius. For this reason, many famous personalities keep Lapis Lazuli in their workspace, as it enhances creativity, clarity, and deep concentration. Keeping this gemstone in the form of carvings or spheres is believed to amplify its metaphysical energy.

At Shwasam Crystals, we offer a wide range of exquisite Lapis Lazuli carvings, including Lord Ganesh, Lord Mahadev, Buddha, and other divine forms, each crafted to inspire inner peace and creativity. Our Lapis Lazuli spheres are among our top-selling products, known for their rich blue hues and powerful vibrations. Whether you’re seeking spiritual growth, focus, or simply elegant decor, our Lapis Lazuli collection offers it all.

If you like this blog and find it informative, please write to us. To explore our full collection and customization options, visit our website Shwasam Crystals.