Known in Urdu as Lajward
Natural Lapis Lazuli (Lajward) Stone in Pakistan
Lajward is the Urdu and Persian name for lapis lazuli, the deep royal-blue stone with tiny flashes of gold scattered through it. The best of it has come from the Badakhshan mountains of Afghanistan for thousands of years, so it has always been a stone of this region. Each piece at Authentic Gems is a single natural stone, usually cut as a cabochon, photographed as it is and priced on its own.
- Stones listed
- 39
- Delivery
- Flat Rs. 500 shipping
Lapis Lazuli
Showing 1–20 of 39 stones
Lapis Lazuli stones
More rock than gem
Most gems are one mineral; lapis is a rock made of several. Lazurite gives the blue, pyrite adds the golden specks, and white calcite shows up as streaks or patches. How much of each a stone holds decides both its look and its value. At about 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale it is softer than quartz. Ground into powder, lapis was once ultramarine, the costly blue that painters used for centuries.
How Lajward is graded
| What you see | Where it sits on value |
|---|---|
| Even, intense royal or violet-blue, fine scattered pyrite, hardly any white | Top grade, the most sought after |
| Strong blue with a few larger pyrite patches or light white veins | Good quality at a middle rate |
| Paler, greyish or denim blue with obvious white calcite | More affordable, still fully natural |
Polish, shape and size count as well. Each listing is a single stone, so its per-carat rate is just the price divided by carat weight.
The Badakhshan connection
The Sar-e-Sang mines in Badakhshan are among the oldest working gem mines on earth, and their deep blue is the standard every other lapis is measured against. Much of the lapis that reaches Pakistan comes from there, and when we know a stone's source, we say so.
Fakes and treatments
Few stones are copied as often. Dyed jasper (sometimes sold as "Swiss lapis"), dyed howlite, powdered lapis set in resin, and glass with metallic flecks all appear in markets. Some real lapis is also dyed or waxed to deepen its colour. Watch for blotchy colour, colour gathered in cracks, or dye that comes off on a cloth; neat, evenly spaced round "gold" dots suggest glass. We check every stone, state treatment when we know it, and explain our checks on the authenticity page.
Lajward in history and belief
Lapis decorated the jewellery of kings, the work of scholars and religious art across the ancient world. It is traditionally seen as a stone of wisdom, truth and inner calm, and is usually set in silver. These are beliefs, not guaranteed effects, and plenty of people wear it simply because they like the blue.
Caring for lapis
It is fairly soft and a little porous. Keep it away from perfume, acids and hot water, wipe it with a soft damp cloth, and store it on its own so it does not get scratched.
Ordering lapis from Authentic Gems
You receive the exact stone in the photos. Delivery is a flat Rs. 500 by insured, tracked courier: usually 1 to 2 working days in Karachi, 2 to 4 for Lahore, Islamabad and other major cities, and up to about 7 for smaller towns. Pay Cash on Delivery after checking the stone, and send it back unused within 7 days if it is not right. Looking for other blues? Have a look at our Neelam and Feroza.
Lapis Lazuli price per ratti in Pakistan
Worked out from the lapis lazuli we list, grouped by weight. Per-ratti figures use the standard gem ratti of 0.91 carat; the price of each stone is the one on its own listing. Use the carat to ratti converter or see all gemstone prices.
| Weight | Weights | Stones | Per carat | Per ratti |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 – 6 carat | 5.7 – 6.0 ct | 2 | Rs 360 – Rs 370 | Rs 330 – Rs 340 |
| 6 – 10 carat | 6.0 – 9.8 ct | 9 | Rs 370 – Rs 380 | Rs 340 – Rs 350 |
| Over 10 carat | 10.3 – 44.7 ct | 28 | Rs 80 – Rs 380 | Rs 70 – Rs 350 |
Want it in a ring? Get this stone set in a silver ring — pick a stone here, send your ring size, and we confirm on WhatsApp.
Keep reading: Our lapis lazuli guide · Urdu & English stone names
Related stones: Tourmaline · Aqeeq · Emerald · Labradorite · Red Coral · Ruby
