Lapis Lazuli (Lajward)
Lajward, the royal-blue stone flecked with gold, traditionally used as a gentle upratna for Saturn.
- Planet
- Saturn (Shani)
- Chakra
- Throat, Third Eye
- Element
- Air
- Hardness
- Mohs 5 - 5.5
- Day
- Saturday
- Finger
- Middle finger of the working hand
- Metal
- Silver or panchdhatu
- Price
- ₹200 - ₹1,500 per carat for fine Afghan lapis; ₹400 - ₹2,500 for bracelets
Lapis lazuli is not a single mineral but a rock, made mostly of deep blue lazurite with white calcite veins and tiny golden flecks of pyrite. The finest material, with an even ultramarine blue and a light sprinkling of gold, has come from the mountains of Badakhshan in Afghanistan for thousands of years. In India it is known as Lajward, and it was once ground into the pigment used for the blue robes in Mughal miniatures and the skies of Renaissance paintings.
In Jyotish, Lajward is widely used as an upratna for Saturn (Shani), a softer and far more affordable alternative to Blue Sapphire (Neelam). Neelam is famous for its powerful and sometimes abrupt influence, so astrologers often suggest Lajward to people who want to support Saturn's lessons of discipline, patience and hard work without the intensity of a sapphire.
Lapis is relatively soft at 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale and slightly porous. That means it scratches more easily than quartz and should never be soaked in water, cleaned with salt or exposed to perfumes and household chemicals. Treat it like fine jewellery: wipe it with a soft dry cloth, store it separately, and it will keep its velvety blue for decades.
Benefits of Lapis Lazuli
- Traditionally used as a gentler substitute for Blue Sapphire in Saturn remedies
- Associated with discipline, patience and steady effort in work
- Believed to support honest self-expression and clear communication
- Linked with the throat and third-eye chakras, wisdom and inner truth
- Considered a calming stone for study, research and writing
- Valued historically as a stone of royalty, scholarship and spiritual insight
Lapis Lazuli in Vedic astrology
Saturn, or Shani, is the karaka of karma, discipline, longevity, service and hard-earned results. Its navaratna is Blue Sapphire (Neelam), traditionally considered one of the fastest-acting and most demanding gems, often tested on the body before being worn permanently. Lajward is a well-known upratna for Shani, alongside amethyst and iolite, and is recommended where Saturn is a functional benefic but a sapphire feels too strong or too costly. It is traditionally worn on a Saturday evening in silver or panchdhatu on the middle finger, the finger of Saturn, after chanting the Shani beej mantra 108 times.
✓ Who should wear Lapis Lazuli
- Capricorn (Makara) and Aquarius (Kumbha) lagnas, where Saturn rules the ascendant
- Taurus (Vrishabha) and Libra (Tula) lagnas, where Saturn is traditionally a yogakaraka
- People in Saturn mahadasha, Sade Sati or Dhaiya where an astrologer recommends support
- Writers, researchers and professionals in law, engineering or public service
✕ Who should avoid it
- Aries, Cancer, Leo and Scorpio lagnas are traditionally cautioned unless an astrologer confirms Saturn is favourable
- Those wearing Ruby or Red Coral should consult before adding a Saturn stone
- Anyone needing a hard, scratch-proof stone for heavy manual work
Is Lapis Lazuli right for your Lagna?
In Jyotish a stone's suitability depends on which houses its planet (Saturn) rules for your Ascendant. Tap your Lagna for the full reasoning.
Lajward kaun pahne? (Lapis Lazuli kisko pehenna chahiye)
Lajward Saturn (Shani) ka ratna hai. Paramparik roop se ye in Lagna walon ke liye anukool maana jata hai: Vrishabha, Tula, Makara, Kumbha. In Lagna mein pehle kundli dikhayein: Mesha, Mithuna, Karka, Simha, Kanya, Vrishchika, Dhanu. Aam taur par ye Lagna ise nahi pehente: Meena. Ye sirf Lagna ka paramparik niyam hai; mahange ratna pehenne se pehle apni kundli kisi yogya jyotishi ko zaroor dikhayein.
How to wear Lapis Lazuli
| Finger | Middle finger of the working hand |
|---|---|
| Metal | Silver or panchdhatu |
| Day | Saturday |
| Time | Evening, around sunset |
| Weight / form | 5-8 carats for a ring; 8-10 mm beads for a bracelet or mala |
| Beej mantra | Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanaye Namah (108×) |
How to cleanse & charge Lapis Lazuli
- Wipe with a soft, dry or barely damp cloth, then dry immediately
- Smudge with sandalwood or camphor smoke
- Rest on a selenite plate or near a clear quartz cluster
- Place under moonlight on a dry surface
Avoid: Soaking in water or salt water, which can dull the polish and affect the calcite and pyrite; Perfume, oils, soap and household cleaners, which the porous stone absorbs; Ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
Best dates to charge: the next Purnima — see the live moon cleansing calendar.
Where to place Lapis Lazuli as per Vastu
Direction: West, North · Rooms: Study, Home Office, Library
Keep a lapis sphere or tumble in the west zone of your study, the direction traditionally linked with Saturn, to support steady, disciplined work.
How to check if Lapis Lazuli is real
Fake lapis is usually dyed howlite, dyed jasper sold as 'Swiss lapis', resin with glitter, or sodalite passed off as lapis.
Take the interactive real vs fake crystal test to get an authenticity score.
Lapis Lazuli price
Typical price in India: ₹200 - ₹1,500 per carat for fine Afghan lapis; ₹400 - ₹2,500 for bracelets. International: $3 - $25 per carat; $10 - $45 for bracelets. Price depends on origin, clarity, colour, size and treatment.
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Lapis Lazuli FAQs
Is Lajward (lapis lazuli) a substitute for Neelam?+
Yes. In Jyotish, Lajward is a recognised upratna for Saturn and is often suggested for people who want Saturn's support without the intensity or cost of Blue Sapphire. Amethyst and iolite are other alternatives. Because Saturn is a strong graha, an astrologer should confirm it is favourable in your chart before wearing any Saturn stone.
Can lapis lazuli be washed with water?+
It should not be soaked. Lapis is relatively soft and porous, and prolonged water or salt exposure can dull its polish and damage the calcite and pyrite within it. Wipe it with a soft, barely damp cloth and dry it immediately. Remove lapis jewellery before bathing, swimming or applying perfume and lotions.
How do I check if my lapis is dyed?+
Dip a cotton swab in a little acetone and rub it gently on a hidden area such as inside a drill hole. If blue colour transfers to the cotton, the stone is dyed, often howlite or jasper. Genuine lapis also shows scattered, crystalline pyrite flecks rather than uniform glitter.
Can I wear lapis during Sade Sati?+
Many astrologers suggest Lajward as a gentle Saturn remedy during Sade Sati or Dhaiya, especially for lagnas where Saturn is a functional benefic. For other lagnas it may not be advised. Pair it with traditional practices such as chanting the Shani beej mantra and serving others, and seek a chart reading first.
Lajward kaun pahne? (Lapis Lazuli kisko pehenna chahiye)+
Paramparik roop se Lajward Vrishabha, Tula, Makara, Kumbha Lagna walon ke liye anukool maana jata hai. Mahange ratna se pehle kundli dikhana behtar hai.
Not sure this stone is right for you? Check your birth chart in 10 seconds.