15 carats — 16.48 ratti — at Rs. 5,630, about Rs. 375 per carat. The reference is GSN-LL-22.

The cleanest blue in the collection

Pale calcite accounts for just 3.3% of this stone's surface, the lowest figure of the twenty we measured. In lapis that is the single most useful number after colour: calcite is the white mineral that marbles through the blue, and the less of it there is, the more unbroken the colour reads. This stone is as close to solid blue as anything on this page.

Saturation measures 84%, among the strongest here, with brightness at 67 out of 255 — a clear mid-depth blue rather than a dark one.

Why 15 carats suits a silver ring

It is the middle of the practical range. Big enough to be the point of the ring, small enough to wear without thinking about it, and light enough that the mount does not need to be massive. Lapis is soft at 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, so a smaller stone in a well-made bezel survives daily wear considerably better than a large one.

Setting advice

A bezel, not claws, and silver rather than gold — a cool metal keeps a blue stone looking blue, where yellow gold pushes it green. Ask for the bezel wall to sit slightly proud of the dome so the stone takes knocks on metal rather than on its own girdle.

Care

Warm water and a soft cloth. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, and keep it away from perfume, hairspray and household cleaners.

We have not had this stone tested, so its treatment is recorded as "not tested" rather than untreated, and we hold no documented origin for it. We can arrange an identification or discuss a setting on +92 308 887 3888. 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 Carat. Its price is Rs. 5,630 — roughly Rs. 375 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GSN-LL-22 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.