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

This pair of natural lapis from The Natural Gemstone Company consists of two closely matched cabochons with weights of 2.17 carats and 2.16 carats respectively. Both stones are fashioned in a cushion outline and finished as tablet cuts, with dimensions of 10.01 by 8.06 by 2.62 millimetres for the 2.17 carat piece and 10.08 by 8.13 by 2.57 millimetres for the 2.16 carat piece. The cut is executed to a shallow tablet profile, producing a broad, even face and stable proportions conducive to low-profile settings. Colour intensity is recorded as intense, the material is opaque, and the polish is excellent, yielding a smooth, satiny to subtly reflective surface across the tablet faces. No enhancements have been applied to these stones, and their documented origin is Afghanistan, a source well known for producing high quality lapis specimens.

From a gemological and practical standpoint the pair demonstrates strong parity in weight, dimensions, colour and finish. The difference in weight between the two stones is 0.01 carat, and the dimensional variance is within one tenth of a millimetre on both length and width, with a marginal variation in thickness of 0.05 millimetre. Such consistency supports matched applications, most directly as a pair for earrings, matched accents in a pendant and ring set, or for symmetrical elements in bespoke designs such as cufflinks or bracelet links. The cushion outline with rounded shoulders and the shallow tablet profile will sit comfortably in bezel, channel, or flush mountings and will present a broad expanse of colour when set. The tablet cut reduces the risk of chipping relative to deeper pavilion cuts and eases the setting process for jewellers seeking a secure, low-set presentation.

Visual character of the material includes an intense blue ground with visible fine flecking and small particulate inclusions that appear as gold-coloured specks against the blue matrix. These metallic inclusions are consistent with natural pyrite commonly associated with Afghan lapis and contribute to the stone’s characteristic appearance and identification. The pieces exhibit an opaque bodycolour rather than translucency, and there are no indications of surface-reaching fractures or significant matrix disruption in the supplied images. The uniformity of colour saturation across each stone and between the pair suggests careful selection and cutting aimed at maximising the deep blue field while retaining the natural textural elements that distinguish lapis from other blue gem materials. The excellent polish enhances surface uniformity and tactile smoothness, providing a pleasing hand-feel and an even reflective quality under direct light.

Care, handling and application notes are provided to preserve the untreated natural state of these lapis pieces. As untreated, natural material of Afghan origin, the stones are valued for their authentic appearance and provenance, and they should be treated as stable when set in jewellery, while still requiring prudent care. Routine cleaning can be achieved with a soft cloth and mild soapy water, avoiding ultrasonic cleaners, steam, and aggressive chemicals which can affect the stone’s surface or any porous matrix. For mounting, consider secure bezel or collet styles that protect the tablet edges and distribute mechanical stress across the broad face. When designing settings, allowance for the approximately 2.6 millimetre thickness should be made to ensure comfortable wear and adequate protection. For further technical inquiries, additional high-resolution images, request for alternate viewing angles, or spectrometric and inclusion photographs, please contact The Natural Gemstone Company and we will provide supplementary documentation and advice for professional setting and appraisal.