Lapis Gemstone Beads
Lapis, a gemstone as captivating as the night sky, has been treasured for its deep celestial blue color imbued with golden specks of pyrite that resemble stars. Formed primarily from lazurite, calcite, and pyrite, this stone is primarily sourced from the mineral-rich mountains of Afghanistan, contributing to its exotic allure and high esteem in the world of gemstones.
Facts: Lapis' significance stretches back over centuries, originally used by the ancient Egyptians for cosmetics and painting. It was admired across various cultures for its intense color and the belief that it could ward off evil. This gemstone was so revered that it even adorned the funeral mask of Tutankhamun, highlighting its importance in ancient art and culture.
Metaphysical / Holistic: Lapis is celebrated for its ability to enhance intellectual abilities and stimulate the desire for knowledge and truth. Known as a stone of wisdom, it is used in practices that seek to deepen understanding and awareness.
Lapis Gemstone Beads for Bold & Elegant Jewelry
Products: 84
Lapis 10mm Round - 8-Inch
Lapis, or Lapis Lazuli, is a deep blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. D...
View full detailsMATTE Lapis 8mm Round - 8-Inch
Lapis, or Lapis Lazuli, is a deep blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. D...
View full detailsLapis Matte 8.5mm Round - 8-Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis 6mm Round 8-Inch
Lapis, or Lapis Lazuli, is a deep blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. D...
View full detailsLapis 4mm Round 8-Inch
Lapis, or Lapis Lazuli, is a deep blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. D...
View full detailsLapis 8mm Double Heart Faceted Star Cut - 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis 4mm Faceted Coin 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi-precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked with...
View full detailsLapis 4mm Round - 15-16 inch
Lapis is a semi-precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked with...
View full detailsLapis 2mm Round 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi-precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked with...
View full detailsLapis 6mm Double Heart Faceted Star Cut - 15-16"
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis & Malachite 16mm Round - 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis 6mm Cube A Grade - 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis Quartz 8x12mm Top Drill Faceted Tear Drop - 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis 5-8x10-12mm Irregular Rondelle Faceted - 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis 6mm Energy Prism Faceted A Grade - 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsMatte Lapis Large Hole 8mm Rondelle - 8-inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis 6mm Star Cut Coin A Grade - 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis 8mm Star Cut Coin A Grade - 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis 7-8mm Irregular Cube - 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis 8x20mm Faceted Teeth - 9 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis 10x17mm Faceted Tube - 17-18 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis 7x8mm Faceted Rice Bead - 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis Natural 6-7mm Table Cut Cube A Grade Bead - 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsLapis 4mm Lantern Faceted A Grade - 15-16 Inch
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full detailsAbout this stone
Frequently asked questions
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Is your lapis real, or is it dyed sodalite?
Lapis lazuli is a rock — primarily lazurite, with pyrite (the metallic gold flecking) and calcite (white veining). Dyed sodalite, dyed howlite, and dyed jasper are common imitations sold as "lapis" in the cheap-bead market; the presence of pyrite is one of the practical authentication signals, since sodalite does not contain pyrite. If a strand is dyed lapis (lapis whose color has been deepened), that treatment should be disclosed — ask if a strand doesn't specify. -
What's the difference between Afghan, Chilean, and Russian lapis?
Afghan lapis (Sar-e-Sang valley) is the historic source — deep royal blue, abundant gold pyrite, minimal calcite. Chilean lapis is lighter, sometimes greenish, with more calcite veining and less pyrite. Russian (Lake Baikal) lapis sits between the two on saturation. Origin sets the visual register and how the strand reads in finished work. -
Is dyed lapis the same as fake lapis?
No. Dyed lapis is lapis whose blue has been deepened with color, typically because the natural material had visible calcite or pale zoning. It is lapis lazuli rock with added color. Fake lapis is dyed sodalite, dyed howlite, or dyed jasper — different minerals entirely. Dye treatment, when present, should be disclosed; mineral identity should also be specified there — ask if either isn't specified. -
What is denim lapis?
"Denim lapis" is a trade name for lower-saturation lapis with significant calcite veining — typically Chilean material. It has a distinctive washed-blue look that designers use deliberately for casual or boho registers. It is real lapis. It is not "low-grade" in the sense of being defective; it's a different aesthetic tier with its own audience, and often appears as its own filter or sub-collection in disclosure-conscious catalogs. -
How can I tell if my lapis has been dyed?
The standard field test is the acetone swab: a cotton swab dipped in acetone (nail polish remover) and rubbed gently on an inconspicuous spot. Dye will transfer onto the cotton; natural lapis will not. Magnification can also reveal dye pooling around pyrite or in calcite veins. Dye treatment, when present — ask before buying if a strand doesn't specify.