In short
- Colour: deep, even blue is the top of the range.
- Calcite: the less white, the higher the grade.
- Pyrite: fine, even flecks are preferred over large patches.
- Letter grades are not standardised; ask for a description and photos.
Colour
The finest lapis is a deep, saturated blue, sometimes with a slight violet tint, spread evenly. Medium blue is common in good commercial material. Light, greyish or patchy blue sits at the lower end.
Calcite
Calcite shows as white veins, clouds or patches. In the finest grades it is absent or barely visible. As calcite increases, the stone looks lighter and the grade drops. Some designers deliberately choose lapis with striking calcite patterns, but in general less calcite means higher value.
Pyrite
Pyrite gives lapis its golden flecks. Fine, evenly spread pyrite is part of the classic look of Afghan lapis. Large pyrite patches or veins are less suited to fine jewellery, and pyrite can tarnish over time.
Compactness and polish
Good lapis is compact, without cracks or soft areas, and takes a high polish. For carving and for blocks, freedom from fractures matters as much as colour.
Treatment
Grade only means something for natural material. Dyed, waxed, stabilised or reconstituted lapis should be described as such, whatever its colour. See how to tell if lapis lazuli is real.
About AAA, AA and A
Letter grades are widely used, but there is no common standard behind them. One seller's AAA may match another's AA. That is why we describe each lot by colour, calcite, pyrite and treatment, with photos in daylight, rather than by letters alone.
Grading at Kohvand
Each lapis listing states colour, calcite, pyrite, treatment, form, dimensions and weight. Browse our Afghan lapis lazuli, read about lapis from Badakhshan, or see our lapis lazuli price guide.
