11.57 Ct.Tw.Total Carat Weight Lapis Pair from Afghanistan

The Natural Gemstone Company presents a matched pair of cushion shaped lapis lazuli tablets, offered with clear technical specifications for professional evaluation. The pair weighs 5.35 carats and 6.22 carats respectively, with precise dimensions of 17.13 x 15.00 x 1.82 millimeters and 17.12 x 15.03 x 2.16 millimeters. Both stones are tablet cut, exhibiting a low profile with gently rounded cushion outlines, and they display vivid blue color intensity across the tablet surfaces. The polish on both pieces is excellent, producing an even, reflective surface that highlights the stone color and the natural pyrite inclusions characteristic of high quality lapis from Afghanistan. These pieces are natural and untreated, with no enhancement reported, and the documented origin is Afghanistan, a source known for lapis with saturated ultramarine tones and fine pyrite distribution.

Material characteristics and design considerations are presented for practical use and secure mounting. Lapis lazuli typically registers around 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, and the tablet cut indicates a shallow profile that reduces overall depth without compromising surface area. The combination of a thin profile and a soft material suggests that protective mounting approaches are preferable, including full bezel settings or recessed inlay designs that shield edges from impact and abrasion. Prong settings that leave thin edges exposed are not recommended, because the tablet thickness varies slightly between the pair and thinner edges are more susceptible to chipping. The natural pyrite inclusions add visual texture and a speckled metallic character, and these are stable within the rock matrix. Color distribution in these pieces is described as vivid and even, with minimal visible matrix or white calcite veining in the supplied images, which supports their suitability for matched earrings, cufflinks, matched pendant pairs, or decorative inlay work.

Handling, care, and provenance notes are provided to support informed specification and long term preservation. Because lapis lazuli is sensitive to acids, household chemicals, and prolonged exposure to heat, cleaning should be performed with a soft brush, mild soapy water, and prompt drying, and ultrasonic or steam cleaners should be avoided to prevent structural or surface damage. Storage in a soft compartment away from harder gemstones will reduce the risk of abrasion. The marked difference in carat weight between the two items is primarily a function of the slightly greater thickness of the 6.22 carat tablet, and the length and width uniformity facilitates symmetrical design placement. The Natural Gemstone Company records the Afghan origin and confirms the absence of dyeing or polymer impregnation for these specimens, and provenance documentation can be provided by request to assist with certification workflows and client disclosure requirements. For technical drawings, exact fitting templates, or additional imagery under standardized lighting, please contact The Natural Gemstone Company for assistance with integration into your design and production processes.