9.27 Ct. Cabochon Lapis from Afghanistan

This specimen from The Natural Gemstone Company is a single cushion shaped blue lapis weighing 9.27 carats, with precise dimensions of 14.29 by 12.40 by 5.76 millimeters. The stone is opaque with a cabochon cut, exhibiting a vivid color intensity and an excellent polish. The material originates from Afghanistan, a locality historically known for producing lapis of deep ultramarine quality, and there has been no enhancement applied to this piece. The modal mineral in this lapis is lazurite, responsible for the intense blue chroma, with accessory pyrite visible as metallic flecks and minor calcite matrices present at trace levels, all consistent with natural Afghan lapis. The cushion outline has been executed with softened corners and balanced proportions, supporting both aesthetic presence and structural resilience in wearable settings.

From a lapidary perspective the cabochon is an exercise in maximizing color saturation through orientation and controlled doming, rather than facet work. The cutter preformed the rough to the intended cushion plan, maintaining the longest axis to align the best zones of blue, then established a uniform dome to a height that preserves sufficient thickness for durability while allowing the surface to present maximal color depth. The dome profile is slightly high relative to the total thickness, which intensifies apparent saturation and allows the pyrite inclusions to read as discrete metallic highlights rather than diffuse scatter. Grinding and sanding sequences were executed with progressively finer abrasives, concluding with a high gloss polish delivered with cerium oxide on a felt pad, resulting in an even reflective field and mirror like highlights without polish pits or haze. Edge transition at the girdle is smooth and consistent, indicating careful control of the final wheel work to prevent thin vulnerable areas.

Gemologically the piece is textbook of high quality lapis, opaque with intense, evenly distributed blue coloration and a minimal presence of white calcite veining that can otherwise dilute chroma. The pyrite inclusions provide desirable contrast, appearing as bright, angular specks and small veins that do not compromise the structural integrity of the cabochon. The mineral aggregate nature yields an even, granular fracture that was anticipated and compensated for during preforming, allowing the lapidary to avoid stress along cleavage planes that do not exist in lapis but can be influenced by intergrown calcite seams. Surface luster is vitreous to slightly resinous on a gem quality polish, improving visual saturation and giving the stone a depth of color that performs well under both natural daylight and controlled LED viewing. Hardness on the Mohs scale is moderate, so while the stone is suitable for many jewelry applications, care in setting and routine handling is important to prevent abrasion and chipping.

For use and care the 14.29 by 12.40 millimeter cushion cabochon is ideally suited to bezel settings that protect the perimeter and distribute impact, making it well matched to rings, pendants, and cufflinks where the domed face can be visually central. Because the cabochon retains a healthy thickness at 5.76 millimeters, it can be set with confidence in exposed pieces, though prong settings should be designed conservatively to avoid exposing edges to knocks. Cleaning should be undertaken with mild soap and warm water and a soft cloth, avoiding ultrasonic cleaners, steam, strong acids and alkaline chemicals, as these can attack accessory minerals and the polish. Storage separate from harder gem materials will prevent abrasion. Documentation from The Natural Gemstone Company confirms Afghan origin and no enhancements, which is an important consideration for collectors who value provenance and natural state. For technical inquiries regarding custom setting recommendations, lapidary history of the piece, or to request additional high resolution imaging and orientation photomicrographs, please contact The Natural Gemstone Company and our gem specialists will provide detailed support.