6.07 Ct. Lapis from Afghanistan

This Natural Gemstone Company offering is a single, natural lapis lazuli weighing 6.07 carats, presented in a cushion shape with a tablet cut. The piece measures 17.13 x 15.01 x 2.10 mm, and it is opaque with a vivid blue color intensity and an excellent polish. The material is from Afghanistan, a historic source for lapis, and it has received no enhancement. The combination of generous diameter and a low profile tablet cut provides a bold visual surface that is well suited to both traditional and contemporary settings, while the clean finish and uniform lustre reflect careful lapidary work.

Visually, this stone displays a deep, saturated blue that reads as vivid in a range of lighting conditions, with subtle tonal variation across the tablet face that is characteristic of fine Afghan lapis. Fine metallic specks and linear inclusions are visible at close inspection, consistent with accessory pyrite and minor calcite commonly found in natural lapis lazuli, and these elements contribute to the stone character and historical identity. The cushion outline softens the rectangular plan of the tablet cut, creating a balanced silhouette and a comfortable setting profile. The polish is excellent, allowing light to glide over the surface and emphasizing the blue depth rather than any reflective faceting. The absence of enhancement confirms that the color and surface properties are intrinsic to the specimen, which supports straightforward evaluation for use in high quality jewellery or architectural inlay.

Lapis lazuli has a long documented heritage as a material of art, ornament, and cultural symbolism, and this specimen aligns with those traditions. Stones from Afghanistan have been used for millennia for beads, carved amulets, and inlay panels, and lapis was the principal source for ultramarine pigment used by artists from the medieval period through the Renaissance. In those contexts lapis was valued for its deep blue as a marker of prestige and permanence, and it was frequently reserved for significant commissions and ritual objects. The tactile, tablet cut form of this piece echoes historical practices of presenting lapis as polished slabs and tablets for carving and inlay, and it is therefore both a practical gem for modern design and a material with direct continuity to historical usage.

For contemporary application, this 6.07 carat cushion tablet is well suited to a range of designs including case set pendants, low profile rings with protective bezels, cufflinks, and decorative inlay where a flat, vivid surface is preferred. Due to its opaque nature and polished face, it performs especially well where surface colour cohesion is important. Care should be applied as with all natural lapis, avoid prolonged exposure to acids, strong solvents, and high heat, and do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaning. Store separately to prevent abrasion against harder gems and metals. The Natural Gemstone Company provides provenance information and additional imagery upon request, and can assist with technical details such as matching pieces for paired settings, lapidary recommendations, and documentation supporting the natural, unenhanced origin from Afghanistan.