A 44.65 carat lajward suits the buyer who wants one large blue surface rather than a tiny accent stone: a bold pendant, a heavy men's ring, or a piece to be set in silver and worn often.

What the numbers say

At Rs. 3,380 this stone works out at about Rs. 76 per carat. Lapis lazuli is priced by depth of blue and evenness of colour more than by size alone, so a low per-carat figure on a big piece is common for this family and is no reason for suspicion. Hardness is 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, soft enough to deserve some care.

Before you decide

Dealers sometimes dye or wax lapis to even out the blue, so message us on WhatsApp and we will share what we know about this particular piece; independent lab testing can also be arranged. When it arrives, turn it under daylight and look for the natural flecks and veining that lapis normally carries.

Quote GS-00063 when you write to +92 308 887 3888. More blue stones are in our lapis lazuli collection.

Pay Cash on Delivery once you have opened the parcel and seen the stone yourself, anywhere in Pakistan, with 7 days to return it if you change your mind. 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 44.65 Carat. Its price is Rs. 3,380 — roughly Rs. 76 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-00063 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.