Here is a 14 carat lapis, royal blue with gold flecking. A few points to check, and a few to know.

• Weight is exactly 14 carats, and the price is Rs. 5,250 (about Rs. 375 per carat).
• It costs the same as the 13.95 carat stone beside it, since colour matters more than a few hundredths of a carat.
• Gold flecking is pyrite, a normal part of natural lapis.
• Hardness is 5 to 6, so keep it away from sand, keys and harder gemstones.
• When it arrives, look at it in daylight and check that the dome is smooth under a fingernail.

If you want to choose between the two near-identical stones, pick on the pattern of gold and the shade of blue, not on the weight. Dye and wax do exist in lapis generally, so ask us about reference GSN-LL-19 before ordering and we will pass on what we know. The courier lets you open the parcel and inspect first. Related stones are in lapis lazuli.

Order with Cash on Delivery anywhere in Pakistan: open the parcel, check the stone, then pay. If it is not right for you, you have 7 days to return it. 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 Carat. Its price is Rs. 5,250 — roughly Rs. 375 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GSN-LL-19 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, a certificate is available on request, 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. Certificate available on request. 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.