Lapis is roughly sorted into two camps. Royal or Persian-style lapis has a deep, even blue; denim lapis is paler, holds more calcite and costs a fraction as much. This 14.25 carat stone sits clearly at the royal end, with a deep royal blue. Its stated origin is Iran.

Even so, judge the quality in front of you rather than the label. Depth of blue, evenness and a smooth polish do the work, and in a stone this size they are all easy to see in daylight. If you have seen paler stones for much less, that difference in colour explains the gap.

For care, remember that lapis is a soft rock at 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. Use a deep bezel, avoid ultrasonic cleaning and strong cleaners, and store it apart from harder stones in a soft pouch.

It is priced in line with similar royal-blue stones. Dye and wax occur in the wider trade, so message us on WhatsApp quoting GSN-LL-20 and ask what we know. Independent lab testing is your choice.

See lapis lazuli for others.

A pendant or a bold silver ring with a protective bezel both suit it.

Open the parcel, check the stone and then pay the rider. Karachi orders usually arrive in 1 to 2 working days and other cities in 2 to 4, with 7 days to return it unused. Before you choose, read our lapis lazuli guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural lapis lazuli, known in Urdu as Lajward, with a weight of 14.25 Carat. Its price is Rs. 5,400 — roughly Rs. 379 for each carat. Origin: Iran. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GSN-LL-20 when you message us about it. The photographs show this exact stone, so what arrives at your door is the piece you chose on screen.

Above twelve carats you are into collector territory. Pieces this heavy are usually set as pendants or kept loose, and they are prized for the size of rough they came from. If you do set it, choose a bezel or a heavy claw to protect the edges.

On the Mohs scale lapis lazuli rates 5 to 6. That makes it soft for a gemstone, better suited to pendants, earrings and rings for special occasions than to a daily ring. Keep it away from perfume, cleaning products, steam and ultrasonic cleaners, and polish it with a dry, soft cloth after wear.

Whoever you buy lapis lazuli from, make sure of three things: the stone is natural rather than lab-grown, glass or glass-filled; any treatment is stated in writing; and the weight quoted is the weight of the finished stone. We check every lapis lazuli for those three points before it is listed, and because you pay on delivery you can look at the stone — or have it tested — before any money changes hands.

We sell natural stones only and inspect each one before it is listed. Treatment for this stone: Treatment not tested. No lab report yet; independent testing welcome. As general background (not a statement about this stone): Lapis lazuli (lajward) is sometimes dyed or waxed to even out its blue. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone; independent lab testing is available on request.

A certificate of authenticity is available on request for this stone, and independent laboratory testing can be arranged. Because you pay on delivery, you can also take the stone to a lab of your choice within the 7-day return window. Read more on our authenticity page.