Lapis Lazuli Tumbled Stone

History Historians believe the link between humans and lapis lazuli stretches back more than 6,500 years. The gem was treasured by the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome. They valued it for its vivid, exquisite color, and prized it as much as they prized other blue gems like sapphire and turquoise. Long treasured, Lapis has been used by many cultures in a wide variety of ways. Today it is a valuable talisman for gaining respect, keeping negative energy away, and helping us to remember to be humble in our dealings with others. It is extensively used in honoring Goddesses, and it is a potent healing crystal for dealing with blockages of the throat chakra . . . Geography Northeast Afghanistan and Pakistan are the major sources of lapis lazuli. The mines west of Lake Baikal in Russia are also a source, as are the Andes mountains of Chili. Smaller quantities are mined in Italy, Mongolia, the United States and Canada. According to the Gemological Institute o