Natural blue lapis lazuli 42.45ct oval cabochon loose gemstone for jewelry

Natural Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli is a deep blue rock rather than a single mineral, made mostly of lazurite (simplified (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(SO4,S,Cl)2), with white calcite and golden flecks of pyrite. Its intense royal blue has been prized for more than 6,000 years. With a Mohs hardness of 5 to 5.5, it is best suited to pendants, earrings and carvings.

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Gemstone guide

Natural Lapis Lazuli

About lapis lazuli

The most famous source is the Sar-e-Sang mines in the Badakhshan region of Afghanistan, worked since ancient times; lapis from there reached Egypt and Mesopotamia and was used in the funeral mask of Tutankhamun. Ground lapis lazuli was also the source of ultramarine, the precious blue pigment of Renaissance painters. Other sources include Chile, Russia and Pakistan.

What you'll find in this collection

Our lapis lazuli comes from Afghanistan and is untreated. You'll find lapis hearts and cabochons in oval and pear shapes, from about 14 to over 60 carats, in deep blue with natural pyrite flecks and some white calcite.

How to recognise lapis lazuli

Fine lapis is an even, deep blue with scattered gold pyrite; more white calcite means a lower grade, and Chilean lapis is often greyer. Dyed howlite, dyed jasper and sodalite are common look-alikes: sodalite is usually a darker, colder blue with white veins and rarely shows pyrite, while dyed stones can leave color on a cotton swab dipped in acetone.

Caring for lapis lazuli

Lapis is fairly soft and slightly porous. Clean it only with a soft, slightly damp cloth, and keep it away from acids, perfume, cosmetics, heat and ultrasonic cleaners.

Every stone is natural, and each listing gives its weight, size, origin and treatment, with photos of the actual stone.