5.25 Ct. Lapis from Afghanistan

Lapis lazuli has been revered for millennia, a stone that bridged the worlds of art, ritual, and adornment long before modern gemology put names to its virtues, and this 5.25 carat cushion shape purplish blue lapis offered by The Natural Gemstone Company carries that same ancient resonance into the present. Sourced from the storied mines of Afghanistan, the birthplace of many of the finest lapis treasures in history, this gem speaks to a lineage of craftsmen and collectors who prized deep, saturated color above all else. The gem measures 14.23 by 12.18 by 2.90 millimeters, a generous size that allows the vivid color intensity to read boldly in any setting. Its tablet cut gives a flat, elegant profile that echoes the tablets and amulets of antiquity, and its excellent polish allows the eye to travel across a smooth surface that seems at once modern and timeless. This lapis is opaque by nature, a quality that has been celebrated since the dawn of civilization for its ability to convey a solid, contemplative presence in jewelry and decorative work.

In hand, the patina of history feels less like an idea and more like a texture, as the purplish blue field completes itself in a steady, confident manner. The tablet cut and cushion outline work together to present a broad plane of color, a canvas on which the deep blue expresses itself without distraction. Because this gem has received no enhancement, the richness you see is a true record of its geological origin, a natural truth preserved in each facet of the polish. The excellent polish amplifies the depth of tone, and the stable, opaque body makes this lapis ideally suited for classical, enduring designs that favor substance and character. Whether set as a singular pendant, a focal cabochon in a bracelet, or as the central stone in a signet style ring, the proportions of 14.23 by 12.18 by 2.90 millimeters and the 5.25 carat weight give designers and collectors the freedom to create pieces that feel like they have always belonged to the world, rather than merely fashion statements for a season.

Choosing this lapis from The Natural Gemstone Company is a decision in favor of provenance and permanence. Afghanistan has furnished artists from ancient Mesopotamia to Renaissance Europe with lapis that took pigment powders to the highest levels of artistry, and this single stone carries that continuum. For those who cherish heirloom quality and want a stone that will be passed down with stories attached, this untreated cushion tablet is a perfect candidate. Care is straightforward, as lapis responds best to gentle handling and avoidance of harsh chemicals, and when set in warm metals such as gold or in cool, restrained platinum, it will provide a focal point that anchors the design in tradition. The Natural Gemstone Company stands behind the authenticity and origin of this piece, offering collectors and makers a gem that is not only beautiful, but also firmly rooted in the history of its place of birth. In a market of transient trends, this lapis invites a different conversation, one about legacy, about the pleasures of enduring color, and about the rare opportunity to own a piece of the past made ready for the future.