15.50 carats — 17.03 ratti — at Rs. 5,810, about Rs. 375 per carat. The reference is GSN-LL-23.

What the photograph actually shows

Brightness reads 73 out of 255 and saturation 81%, so this is a bright, strongly coloured blue — the kind that stays blue under a lamp rather than sinking towards navy. Pale calcite accounts for 6.2% of the surface, showing as light marbling drifting through the body.

Every stone in this collection measures 100% blue on the saturated pixels, with no green or grey cast anywhere. The differences between them are depth, strength and how much white calcite breaks up the colour — not hue.

Recorded as Iranian

This stone is recorded with an Iranian origin. Lapis from Iran is a real and historic source: the deposits near Nishapur have been worked for a very long time, and produced some of the blue used in the ancient world.

We are passing on what is recorded against the stone rather than a mine document we hold. If provenance matters to your purchase, ask us before you buy rather than after.

Wearing it

Fifteen and a half carats is a practical ring stone, or a pendant. A brighter blue like this works with yellow gold as well as silver, which the very dark stones in this collection do not.

Care

Lapis is soft at 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale and porous. Warm water and a soft cloth only. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no household cleaners.

We have not had this stone tested, so its treatment is recorded as "not tested" rather than untreated. Message +92 308 887 3888 for an identification. The rest of the range is in the lapis lazuli category.

Cash on Delivery is available across Pakistan, so you inspect the stone before paying, and returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural lapis lazuli, known in Urdu as Lajward, with a weight of 15.5 Carat. Its price is Rs. 5,810 — roughly Rs. 375 for each carat. Origin: Iran. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GSN-LL-23 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.