Sapphire and Lapis Lazuli: September Birthstones of Royalty and Religion
As September ushers in a new season, it brings with it these two captivating gemstones, with their enigmatic histories, religious significance, and soothing energies. Today we’ll uncover tales of ancient civilizations and discover why these deep blue gems have delighted the senses and ignited the imagination for centuries.
Sapphire: The Jewel of Royalty and Tranquility
Sapphire, known for its rich, deep blue color, has long been admired and cherished for its beauty and rarity. The name "Sapphire" originates from the Greek word 'Sappheiros' and the Latin word 'Sapphirus,' both meaning "Blue Stone." This precious gemstone holds a place of distinction as one of the four precious gemstones, prized for its aesthetic beauty, as well as for its historical significance and healing properties.
Both Greek and Roman royalty adorned themselves with blue Sapphire to protect against malevolent forces. Through the ages this gemstone boasts continuous regal history, embodying qualities of wisdom, calmness, and clarity. It is closely associated with the Throat Chakra, which symbolizes communication and self-expression. Its water-energy aligns with soothing and calming influences, allowing for a balanced flow of energy.
Sapphire pairs beautifully with Spinel, providing protection and wisdom, for which kings and queens have prized these two gems for centuries.
Healing Properties of Sapphire
Mental Benefits: Aids in gaining wisdom, calming the mind, and enhancing clarity of thought. It facilitates self-expression and improves communication.
Physical Benefits: Believed to promote healing in the eyes and aid in resolving blood disorders. It also helps to calm an overactive body.
Emotional Benefits: Promotes creativity and inspiration while balancing emotions, offering a sense of harmony and tranquility.
Spiritual Benefits: Brings energies into balance and resonates with Water-Energy, which soothes and calms the Throat Chakra, fostering a deeper connection with one's inner self.
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Lapis Lazuli: Treasured in Religion and Art
Lapis Lazuli, meaning "stone of heaven," received this name due to its stunning blue hue and star-like golden sparkle. This captivating gemstone is comprised of three minerals: Lazurite (blue), calcite (white), and pyrite (gold).
Lapis Lazuli's story begins in ancient times, with artifacts dating as far back as 7570 BCE. Cleopatra famously used Lapis Lazuli to create her iconic eye shadow, establishing it as a beautiful and valuable treasure. It also held deep spiritual significance, as it was believed to bring spiritual enlightenment to wearers and guide souls into the realm of immortality.
Carrying this theme further through history, in the Renaissance, Lapis Lazuli was ground into a fine powder and used to create ultramarine blue, considered the most beautiful and luxurious of all blue pigments. Initially, because of its prohibitive costs, the color was traditionally reserved for painting the clothing of Christ or the Virgin Mary.
Healing Properties of Lapis Lazuli
Mental Benefits: Encourages self-awareness, self-expression, and the clarification of thoughts, revealing deep truths within oneself.
Physical Benefits: Supports a healthy thyroid and endocrine system, and helps to alleviate pain, particularly migraine headaches.
Emotional Benefits: Fosters a sense of deep peace, relieves repressed anger, and promotes honesty and compassion.
Spiritual Benefits: Opens the Third Eye and balances the Throat Chakra, facilitating a stronger connection with the universe and aligning all aspects of the self.
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Historical Confusion between Sapphire and Lapis Lazuli
Hiding within the origin stories we’ve just shared, runs a thread of historical confusion between these two blue gemstones. The name Lapis Lazuli is first seen in the middles ages, coming from the Latin 'lapis' for stone and 'lazulum' for blue or heaven. In ancient Greece and Rome Lapis Lazuli was called 'sapphirus' meaning blue. Confusingly, this root word now translates to Blue Sapphire.
In the Bible, Exodus 28 describes the priestly garments and bejeweled breastplate to be word by Aaron and future high priests of Israel. The 12 gemstones adorning the Ephod’s Breastplate were to represent each of the 12 tribes of Israel. Many researchers believe that the "sapphire" stone mentioned in this description, which predates the Roman Empire's knowledge of true sapphires, actually refers to Lapis Lazuli. This historical link between Lapis Lazuli and the biblical narrative enhances its significance, reinforcing its position as a birthstone with deep roots.
Sapphire and Lapis Lazuli both have their unique visual and vibrational characteristics, yet along with their intertwined histories, they also share a connection through their blue hues and their influence on the Throat Chakra. These gemstones encourage open communication, self-expression, and spiritual connection. Their captivating colors and powerful energies make excellent adornments for those born in September, and for anyone ready to invite more wisdom, balance, and serenity into their life.
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