3.42 Ct. Cabochon Lapis from Afghanistan

Beneath a hush of twilight, a single cabochon rises like a small, celestial hill, blue as a promise that will not be broken, a cushion shaped heart of stone weighing 3.42 carat, measuring 10.22 by 8.11 by 5.31 millimeters, opaque and profound, its surface smoothed to an excellent polish that lets the color breathe and glow. The lapis carries the depth of old oceans and the hush of evening skies, every curve of its cabochon cut chosen to cradle light and hold it, to give the gem a soft, inner luminescence rather than a glare. The color intensity is vivid, an unspoken poem in ultramarine, a steady, royal blue that does not need embellishment, because its purity and presence are enough. This is a natural, unenhanced lapis, from the storied mines of Afghanistan, and it arrives to you whole, honest, and true, a jewel whose provenance and character are as clear as the first line of a love letter. At The Natural Gemstone Company, we honor stones that speak with their own voice, and this lapis speaks in tones of night and ocean, in the language of quiet devotion.

Imagine this stone set close to the skin, a secret conversation between metal and muscle, the cushion shape carrying an antique charm and the cabochon surface inviting touch. When held to light, the gem gives up its color in waves rather than faceted flashes, a calm, continuous sea of blue, the kind that steadies the breath and slows the hour. Its polish is excellent, a mirror to the care taken by the cutter, smoothing away the brusque edges of earth into a form that is wearable, durable, and intimate. Because it is opaque, the beauty is all in the surface, the hue, and the touch, and because there are no enhancements, what you see is what the mountains of Afghanistan delivered, a landscape of minerals and time pressed into a jewel. Picture it framed by warm gold to intensify the blue, or by cool white metal to let the color sing on its own, or set as a solitary emblem on a ring meant to be worn every day, a talisman that reads like a pledge.

To give this lapis is to give a story, not just a stone, and the story begins in the earth and travels through hands that know the language of color and cut. Consider an engagement setting where diamonds lend a whispered brilliance, like distant stars around a midnight moon, or a simple bezel that protects and preserves, making the gem a companion for a lifetime. Lapis has long been a stone of truth and of vision, of words that mean more because they are formed in silence, and in this cabochon cushion you hold a piece of that tradition. For those who prefer something bespoke, we at The Natural Gemstone Company can assist in designing a mount that honors the gem, whether you imagine a low profile band for daily wear, an ornate vintage frame for display at evening events, or a pendant that rests over the heart. As a gemstone professional, I suggest pairing the lapis with metals that enhance warmth, gold in its many shades will deepen the blue into something richly emotive, while white metals will give it a modern, crisp contrast.

Caring for such a stone is an act of tenderness, keep it away from harsh chemicals, avoid prolonged exposure to heat and strong soaps, clean with a soft cloth and a little warm water, never place it in an ultrasonic bath or steam cleaner, because lapis, with its porous nature, appreciates gentle handling and slow devotion. Stored in a soft pouch, separated from harder gems, it will keep its polish and its voice, ready to be given as a gift or worn as a daily charm. Our promise at The Natural Gemstone Company is to present true, natural beauty with clear information and careful stewardship, and this Afghan lapis arrives without enhancement, with measured dimensions and a weight that confirms its presence in hand. If you would like more details, photographs from alternate angles, or assistance imagining this gem in a custom setting, I am here to guide you, to help translate the feeling you want to give into the metal and mount that will carry it. Let this lapis be the seal on a new beginning, a steady blue to anchor a life of promises and small, beautiful rituals, and allow us to help you make that moment unforgettable.