Lapis lazuli has a way of looking expensive from across a room, and this 19.40 carat piece is no exception. Its royal blue is even across the face, the kind of colour that holds its own against silver and gold alike.

For a lajward, the price is a fair measure of its size and colour. It measures 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, so treat it as a stone for occasions and gentle daily wear rather than heavy work.

Dealers sometimes dye or wax lapis to deepen its blue, and you are entitled to ask about it. Message us on WhatsApp quoting GSN-LL-28 and we will say what we know about this stone. Independent lab testing is your choice.

More pieces can be found in the lapis lazuli section.

At this size a pendant is the natural choice, with a sturdy bail and a medium chain.

Clean it with a soft damp cloth and keep it away from perfume and sprays.

If you like it, remember the parcel can be opened and checked before you pay, and an unused stone can still be returned within 7 days. Karachi orders usually arrive in 1 to 2 working days and other cities in 2 to 4. 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 19.4 Carat. Its price is Rs. 7,280 — roughly Rs. 375 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GSN-LL-28 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.