Raw Lapis Lazuli Cube Specimen | Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Raw Lapis Lazuli Cube-Like Specimen from Badakhshan, Afghanistan

This raw Lapis Lazuli specimen weighs 170 grams and comes from Badakhshan, Afghanistan. It is offered exactly as sourced, with no lapidary work applied, so its surface and shape are exactly as they formed underground. You can browse more Lapis Lazuli specimens from the same region for comparison.

Shape and Size

Measuring 7.2 x 5.8 cm across with a 5.0 cm depth, this specimen has a boxy, near-cube profile rather than a flat or elongated one. The depth is close to matching the shorter side, which gives the piece a compact, chunky presence rather than a slab-like form.

Mineral Composition and Color

The core is a Lazurite matrix in a deep, saturated indigo-to-ultramarine blue. Veins of metallic golden Pyrite and pathways of white Calcite run across the raw surface, both of which occur naturally alongside Lazurite in Lapis Lazuli. Nothing has been treated, dyed, or enhanced.

Display and Lapidary Use

This cube-like Lapis Lazuli specimen sits well on a display shelf or collector's cabinet, where its boxy proportions stand out from flatter pieces. Its uncut form also makes it usable as material for lapidary artists who work with rough stone rather than finished cuts. For more pieces from Afghanistan and Pakistan, see our mineral specimens and crystals collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Lapis Lazuli specimen natural and untreated?
Yes. It is a raw, unpolished specimen sold as sourced, with no dyeing, heat treatment, or other alteration applied.

What minerals are visible in this piece?
The raw surface shows metallic golden Pyrite and white Calcite alongside the blue Lazurite, all occurring naturally in Badakhshan Lapis Lazuli.

Can this specimen be used for lapidary work?
Yes. Because it is unpolished and untouched, lapidary artists can use it as raw material, and collectors can display it as is.