A semi-precious stone with a hardness of 5-6 on the Mohs scale.
    Tough but fair.
    Historically, blue has always been a difficult colour, unnatural and therefore coveted.
    The Egyptians saw it as a symbol of the night sky.
    Few blue pigments keep their chroma, always fading to greys and browns.
    Lapis lazuli was different, striking.
    So revered that when a piece using the pigment was commissioned, 
    painters charged by the square inch. 
    The colour of loyalty, purity and heavenly, otherworldly grace. 
    Often associated with the Virgin Mary.

    A shade so big it hypnotizes. Not to be ignored. Take that Yves Klein.
    Often freckled with specks of pyrite, fool’s gold.
    I was given a lapis heart pendant for Christmas. 
    Lapis is the stone of wisdom. Promotes free self-expression, and aids insomnia and thyroid issues. 
    How apropos, I’ve been looking for a piece of lapis jewelry for years, 
    and receive one as a gift right before a thyroidectomy.
    I know its just wishful thinking, a placebo effect, but it makes me feel better.