Delicate Lapis Lazuli Sterling Silver Pendant

Lapis lazuli, or Lapis for short, is a deep blue gemstone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense and vibrant blue colour. The deep, celestial Royal Blue still represents royalty, honour, the gods and wisdom. As early as the 7th millennium BC, Lapis lazuli was mined in the famous Sar-e-Sang mines in Afghanistan, where Two Skies procure our Lapis today. Lapis is generally beautifully flecked with Fool’s Gold Pyrite and sometimes swirls of creamy white Calcite. Jewellery made of Lapis has been found dating back to 2900BC. Cleopatra was reported to use ground Lapis - known as ultramarine, the finest and most expensive of pigments - as eyeshadow. Ultramarine was used in paintings by some of the most important artists of the Renaissance and Baroque.

Why do silversmiths use 925%? Measured in parts per thousand, pure silver (999%) is too soft so silversmiths mix it with other metals to make it it harder. The purer the metal, the higher the polish, but it is a lot softer (thus less durable). The harder the metal is, the more hard wearing the jewellery is, but it will also tarnish easier as it has less silver content. Therefore, the silver industry set a standard percentage content for fine silver (925); what we know as "sterling silver". At Two Skies our silversmiths use 925 (sterling) silver for ring shafts and moving parts, and a very high 950% on our stones settings, which enables us to get a strong jewellery item with a beautiful and secure stone setting, without any gluing. Each piece of our jewellery is hand stamped with our Two Skies Hallmark alongside the recognised industry 925 Hallmark.

Relax - you can shop with confidence at Two Skies.  If you change your mind, simply get in touch to let us know you want to return one or all of your items within 7 days of receiving your order, and we'll get a replacement/refund arranged - no quibbles!