This stone is for the buyer who wants Afghan lapis in a size that still fits a man's silver ring or a neat pendant. It is a 6.45 carat cabochon in rich blue, and its stated origin is Afghanistan.

The Badakhshan connection

Lapis has come out of the mountains of Badakhshan for thousands of years, and Afghan material is what most people in this region mean when they talk about fine lajward. Origin is a useful pointer, not a grade, so judge the stone itself: the blue should be deep and even, white calcite should be limited, and the polish should feel smooth under a fingernail.

Care

With a hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale it needs a protective bezel, and a quick wipe with a soft cloth after wearing. Never put it in an ultrasonic cleaner.

Lapis can be dyed or waxed in the wider trade, so message us on WhatsApp quoting GSN-LL-04 and ask what we know. Independent lab testing is your choice. Compare it with others in our lapis lazuli range.

Open the parcel, look the stone over in daylight, then pay. Karachi deliveries usually take 1 to 2 working days, Lahore, Islamabad and 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 6.45 Carat. Its price is Rs. 2,400 — roughly Rs. 372 for each carat. Origin: Afghanistan. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GSN-LL-04 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.

From six carats up a stone becomes the centre of attention. It wants a broader shank or a secure claw setting and suits an occasion ring, a signet or a centre pendant. Clean natural material of this size turns up far less often, and the per-carat rate reflects that.

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.