Collection
Afghan Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli from Badakhshan in north-eastern Afghanistan: raw and rough, blocks, slabs, beads and calibrated cabochons, graded by colour, calcite and pyrite.
Available lapis lazuli
Current stock on request
We are photographing and documenting our first stones for this page. Ask for the current list, with photos, measurements and documents, via WhatsApp or the quote form.
About lapis lazuli from Badakhshan
Badakhshan, in the north-east of Afghanistan, is the classic source of lapis lazuli. The deposits around Sar-e-Sang have been worked for thousands of years, and Afghan lapis has travelled to Egypt, Mesopotamia and medieval Europe, where it was ground into the pigment ultramarine.
How we grade
- Colour: from light blue to deep royal blue. An even, saturated blue is the most sought after.
- Calcite: white veins or patches. Less calcite generally means a higher grade.
- Pyrite: golden flecks. Fine, evenly spread pyrite is appreciated; heavy pyrite suits some designs and not others.
Treatment
Lapis can be dyed, waxed or stabilised, and “reconstituted” lapis is made from powder and resin. We state on each listing what is known about the material and how we know it. We never sell reconstituted material as natural lapis.
Note: lapis lazuli comes from Badakhshan, not from the Panjshir valley. The two regions are often mixed up online.
Guides for lapis buyers
All guides →
Lapis lazuli price: per carat, per gram and per kilo
What determines the price of lapis lazuli: colour, calcite, pyrite, treatment and form. How rough, blocks, slabs, beads and cabochons are priced.
Is your lapis lazuli real?
How to tell natural lapis lazuli from dyed howlite or jasper, sodalite, reconstituted lapis and other imitations. Simple checks and their limits.
Lapis lazuli grades: colour, calcite and pyrite
How lapis lazuli is graded in the trade: colour, calcite, pyrite, compactness and treatment, and why letter grades like AAA mean little without a description.
FAQ
Do you supply calibrated sizes?
Yes, cabochons in common calibrated sizes, depending on stock. Tell us the size and quantity.
Do you sell lapis lazuli beads and blocks?
Yes. Beads, blocks and slabs are available on request, depending on stock. Ask for the current list.
Can you supply rough for carving?
Yes, single pieces and mixed lots. Weight, colour grade and photos are on each listing.
How do you know the lapis is natural?
Per lot we state which documents and tests exist. Where needed, a laboratory can test the material before shipment.
Looking for a particular stone?
Tell us what you need. The quickest way is WhatsApp; the quote form works too.