28.15 carats — 30.93 ratti — at Rs. 10,500, about Rs. 373 per carat. The reference is GSN-LL-34.

The strongest blue in this part of the collection

Saturation measures 86%, the highest reading of the twenty stones we measured, and it is the figure that matters most in lapis. A saturated blue holds its colour under poor light and against metal; a weaker one goes grey indoors. Brightness reads 75 out of 255, so this is a bright, vivid blue rather than a dark one — the colour reads clearly across a room.

Pale calcite accounts for only 4.7% of the surface, so there is very little white interrupting the blue.

On Afghan lapis

The Sar-e-Sang mines in Badakhshan have produced lapis for several thousand years and remain the benchmark the trade measures against. Most good lapis reaching Pakistan comes over that border.

We should be straight with you about what we can evidence: we hold no mine documentation for this stone and have not had it tested. What we can show you is the colour, which is the best on this page.

Wearing it

Twenty-eight carats is a heavy pendant or a very bold ring. A bezel suits a soft stone far better than claws, which concentrate pressure on a small area.

Care

Lapis is soft, about 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, and porous. Warm water and a soft cloth, nothing else. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, and keep it away from perfume and household cleaners.

Its treatment is recorded as "not tested" rather than untreated. Lapis is often dyed or waxed, so ask us if that matters — message +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 28.15 Carat. Its price is Rs. 10,500 — roughly Rs. 373 for each carat. Origin: Afghanistan. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GSN-LL-34 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.