What secrets does lapis lazuli hold?
1.
It's NOT just any stone
Lapis lazuli is not a single mineral.
It is a rock composed principally of lazurite, calcite, and pyrite.
2.
THE SECRET OF ITS BLUE
Its deep blue comes from lazurite.
The more intense and uniform the color, the more highly prized the stone tends to be.
3.
Its blue is no coincidence
Its small golden reflections are pyrite inclusions.
Calcite, on the other hand, appears as white veins or areas.
4.
A HISTORY OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS
Lapis lazuli has been used since ancient times in jewelry, sculptures, and ceremonial objects.
Its color made it a symbol of beauty and distinction.
5.
From Lapis Lazuli to Ultramarine Pigment
During the Renaissance, natural ultramarine could be worth as much as gold and was reserved for highly prestigious commissions, especially for depicting the Virgin Mary's mantle.
Why was it so expensive?
Because it wasn't the stone that was truly costly, but the enormous amount of work required to obtain a few grams of the purest pigment
6.
NONE IS LIKE THE OTHER
The combination of blue, light veins, and pyrite flecks creates unrepeatable patterns.
Each piece of lapis lazuli holds its own landscape.
From gemstone to jewel
Once selected, the lapis lazuli is transformed into a handmade jewel in Mexico.
Each design is born from the stone:
From its shape
From its blue & the details that make it unique.
