In this article
Written by Sameer
Reviewed on
Lajward, or lapis lazuli, is not one mineral but a rock. It is mostly blue lazurite, mixed with white calcite, golden pyrite and sometimes a few other minerals, and its value comes down to how those parts are balanced. For thousands of years the best lapis has come out of the Badakhshan mountains in Afghanistan, not far from Pakistan's own northern areas, and it is still a familiar sight in our markets.
Three ingredients, three effects on price
Lazurite, the blue
The stronger and more even the blue, the better the stone. The colour people want most is a deep royal blue with a slight violet lean. Pale, greyish or patchy blue sits further down.
Pyrite, the gold
Small flecks of brassy pyrite scattered evenly, like stars in a night sky, have always been admired. Too much pyrite, particularly in big patches, lowers the value, and so does pyrite that has gone dull or tarnished.
Calcite, the white
Streaks and patches of white calcite water the colour down. Less calcite means a more valuable stone, which is why the top grades look almost entirely blue with only fine gold flecks.
Polish and surface
Good lapis takes a smooth, faintly waxy polish. A grainy, pitted or uneven surface usually means lower-grade material or hurried finishing.
Dye, wax and resin
Lapis is sometimes dyed to deepen the blue, and waxed or soaked in resin to improve the polish and hide calcite. A cotton bud with a little acetone, rubbed somewhere hidden, may pick up blue from a dyed stone, but it can damage a waxed surface, so ask the seller instead of testing it yourself. We state treatments wherever they are known.
Sodalite, "Swiss lapis" and other lookalikes
- Sodalite: blue too, but usually with white veins and little or no golden pyrite.
- Dyed jasper, sold as "Swiss lapis": often too even, with no pyrite, and colour that may gather in cracks.
- Reconstituted lapis and glass: can look speckled and artificial, or show bubbles under magnification.
Why lajward needs a gentle hand
At 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale lapis is fairly soft and porous. It does better in pendants and earrings than in a ring worn all the time. Keep it away from perfume, acids and chemicals, never put it in an ultrasonic cleaner, and clean it with a damp cloth only.
Lajward and Shani
In South Asian tradition lajward is linked to Saturn (Shani) and worn for insight and honest speech. These are traditional beliefs, not promised results; see our rashi guide.
Judge it with your own eyes
Every stone in our lapis lazuli collection is checked and photographed on its own, so you can weigh up the blue, the pyrite and the calcite before you order. Also have a look at pearl or tourmaline. Urdu names are on our names page. We deliver with Cash on Delivery from our Karachi base, to Karachi first and fastest, then Lahore and every other city.
References
