Picture this stone in a plain silver bezel, the way lajward has traditionally been set in Pakistan. It is a deep blue cabochon of 5.65 carats dusted with fine golden pyrite, and a simple bezel shows that blue without any fuss.

At this weight it makes a compact ring stone for everyday wear, a pendant, or one of a pair of cufflinks if you find a second stone with a similar scatter of gold. Lapis rates 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, so a deep bezel protects the edges better than open claws. Take it off for washing up, the gym and cooking.

The blue comes from the mineral lazurite, and the gold flecks are pyrite. Because lapis is a rock rather than a single crystal, the flecks vary from stone to stone, and a natural scatter like this one is part of why people buy it.

Dyeing and waxing are known in lapis, so ask us about this stone before you decide. Message us on WhatsApp quoting GSN-LL-01; we can also talk about a custom silver ring there. Independent lab testing is your choice.

More stones are under lapis lazuli.

Wipe it with a soft damp cloth after wearing and keep it in its own pouch.

Open the parcel at your door and pay only if you like the stone. Karachi deliveries usually take 1 to 2 working days, other cities 2 to 4, and unused stones can be returned within 7 days. 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 5.65 Carat. Its price is Rs. 2,060 — roughly Rs. 365 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GSN-LL-01 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.

Between two and six carats is the range most people choose for a gents' ring or a noticeable pendant. Here colour drives the price more than size does, which is why two stones of near-identical weight can be priced very differently.

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.