Lapis Lazuli

Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Deep royal blue with golden pyrite flecks. Mined for over 6,000 years.

Where it comes from

Lapis lazuli has been mined from the Sar-i Sang region of Badakhshan, Afghanistan for more than 6,000 years. That makes it one of the oldest continuously traded gemstones in human history. The same families that have worked these mountains for generations are still mining today, often by hand in conditions that have changed remarkably little over centuries.

Chilean lapis is also produced commercially, primarily from the Coquimbo region. The color is lighter and slightly more violet, and the material tends to have more white calcite inclusions. Afghan lapis remains the standard for the deepest, most saturated blue.

What it looks like

Lapis is famous for its deep ultramarine blue, often flecked with golden pyrite and white calcite veining. The best material is sometimes called "royal blue" or "AAA grade" and shows a uniform, saturated color with just enough pyrite to give it character and minimal calcite.

Lower-grade lapis has more white veining and less saturated blue. Even mid-grade lapis is beautiful, but the difference between standard and high-grade material is significant when you see them side by side.

What makes it special

History. Lapis was ground into ultramarine pigment for Renaissance paintings and adorned the masks of Egyptian pharaohs. Cleopatra reportedly used powdered lapis as eyeshadow. When you wear lapis, you're wearing a stone that has been worked by human hands for longer than almost any other gemstone on earth.

The pyrite inclusions also tell a story. Those golden flecks formed alongside the lapis in the same metamorphic process, which means every piece of true Afghan lapis carries a fingerprint of how it was made. Dyed or imitation lapis lacks this natural pyrite distribution, which is one of the easiest ways to spot the real thing.

Value and availability

Lapis is widely available and spans every price point. Inexpensive lapis from Chile or lower-grade Afghan stock is good for casual jewelry. Higher-grade Afghan lapis with deep color and minimal calcite commands real prices, especially in larger cabochons.

Lapis is moderately soft (5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale), so it benefits from settings that protect the edges. We recommend keeping lapis pieces away from chemicals and cleaners, and wiping them gently with a soft cloth.

Lapis Lazuli in our collection

We carry several lapis pieces, including the Midnight Crest lapis pendant, the Bluefire Cascade necklace that features lapis alongside turquoise and opal, and a full set of lapis stud earrings in 24k gold. Each stone is chosen for color depth and the character of its pyrite distribution.