5.78 Ct. Lapis from Afghanistan

One beautiful opaque 5.78 carat cushion shape blue lapis rests in your hand, vivid and steady, a piece I am proud to present from The Natural Gemstone Company. This stone measures 14.15 x 12.06 x 2.93 mm, a comfortable size that balances presence with wearability. It has been fashioned in a tablet cut that emphasizes the depth of its color, and it shows an excellent polish that gives the surface a satiny glow. There has been no enhancement to alter its character, so the blue you see is the blue that came from the mine in Afghanistan. When you hold this lapis, you are holding a single moment in a long story that began deep in the mountains, and that story is carried in the weight of 5.78 carats and in every smooth curve of its cushion outline.

The journey of this lapis began in Afghanistan, in the same rugged terrain that has produced some of the finest lapis lazuli for millennia. Miners working by hand and with small tools find veins of rock that contain the intense blue mineral, and they sort and grade by eye, seeking nodules with that vivid saturation and even tone. From the rough stone, skilled cutters assess the best yield, looking to preserve color and minimize waste. The tablet cut chosen for this piece is both practical and elegant, reducing the chance of fracture while offering a broad, flat plane that displays the blue uninterrupted. At The Natural Gemstone Company we work with cutters who respect the material. They apply light, deliberate faceting where needed, and then polish gently to coax a surface that is smooth and luminous. The result is a gem that is at once rustic in origin and refined in finish, a true meeting of earth and hand.

This lapis carries more than color and form, it carries cultural resonance. For centuries, lapis from Afghanistan was shipped along ancient trade routes, prized by artists and monarchs, ground into ultramarine pigment for sacred paintings, and set into jewelry that signified status and protection. That heritage sits quietly inside this stone, an echo of ashlar workshops, caravanserai, and the hands that once handled similar blue treasures. Wearing this cushion shaped lapis connects you to that lineage, an armature of history that makes contemporary design feel rooted. Whether set into a simple pendant that lets the tablet face show, or mounted as a central stone in a ring where the polished plane catches the eye, this lapis invites an intimate relationship. Its opacity and even, vivid color give it presence without needing flash, translating well across settings that value substance over spectacle.

At The Natural Gemstone Company we believe in clear provenance, honest description, and careful finishing, and this lapis reflects that philosophy. Because there is no enhancement, the maintenance is straightforward, gentle, and mindful. Clean with a soft cloth and warm water with a touch of mild soap if needed, avoid strong chemicals, and do not subject it to steam or ultrasonic cleaners that can be harsh on natural material. Consider a bezel setting or a protective bezel rim if you plan to wear it daily, since lapis is softer than many faceted gems and benefits from a secure seat. For designers and private clients alike, this 5.78 carat cushion tablet offers a canvas for creativity, an authentic piece of Afghanistan distilled into a wearable object. If you would like detailed photos, measurements, or advice on setting this piece, I am here to guide you through choices that will honor the stone and the story it carries.