{"product_id":"lapis-lazuli-rough-boulder-specimen-badakhshan-357g","title":"Lapis Lazuli Rough Boulder Specimen – Badakhshan, Afghanistan","description":"\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eLapis Lazuli Rough Boulder Specimen from Badakhshan, Afghanistan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIf you're looking for a \u003cstrong\u003eraw Lapis Lazuli specimen\u003c\/strong\u003e with real physical presence rather than a flat display piece, this 357-gram boulder from Badakhshan, Afghanistan is worth a closer look. It comes straight from the source region without any lapidary work done to it, so what you see is exactly how it formed underground: rough edges, natural color variation, and all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWhere This Piece Comes From\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBadakhshan sits in the mountainous northeast of Afghanistan, and it's the origin point most collectors specifically look for when shopping for \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/premierfineminerals.com\/collections\/lapis-lazuli\"\u003eLapis Lazuli specimens\u003c\/a\u003e. This particular piece stays true to that origin, arriving unpolished and untouched by any lapidary alteration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eShape, Depth, and What Makes It Stand Out\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAt 9.8 x 6.3 x 6.3 cm, the width and depth of this specimen are nearly identical, giving it a near-equant, cube-like form rather than the flatter, slab-like shape more common in smaller pieces. That geometry means it sits on a flat base without needing a mount or stand, which matters if you're planning to display it directly on a shelf rather than in a case with supports.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Mineral Composition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe core matrix is Lazurite, carrying the deep indigo-to-ultramarine blue that Lapis Lazuli is known for. Running through the raw surface are veins of metallic golden \u003cstrong\u003ePyrite\u003c\/strong\u003e and pockets of white Calcite, both minerals that occur naturally alongside Lazurite in genuine Lapis Lazuli deposits. Neither has been added or enhanced here; they're simply part of how this stone grew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWho This Specimen Suits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis piece works well for collectors building out a cabinet of rough, unaltered mineral specimens, and it also suits \u003cstrong\u003elapidary artists\u003c\/strong\u003e who want raw material to cut or shape themselves rather than buying a finished piece. Either way, it ships exactly as pictured, with locality documentation confirming it came from Afghanistan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this Lapis Lazuli specimen treated or enhanced in any way?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. This is a raw, unpolished specimen sold in its natural state, with no lapidary alteration, dyeing, or treatment applied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this specimen stand upright on its own?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Its flat base and near-equant, cube-like proportions (6.3 cm depth matching its 6.3 cm width) allow it to stand on its own without a mount or stand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat minerals are visible in this specimen besides Lapis Lazuli?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe raw surface shows metallic golden Pyrite and white Calcite, both of which occur naturally alongside Lazurite in genuine Badakhshan Lapis Lazuli deposits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this piece suitable for cutting or lapidary work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Since it's unpolished and untouched, it can be used as raw material by lapidary artists, in addition to being displayed as-is by collectors.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Premier Fine Minerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52620465471775,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0948\/5077\/7375\/files\/Raw_Lapis_Lazuli_boulder_specimen_from_Badakhshan.jpg?v=1789971920","url":"https:\/\/premierfineminerals.com\/products\/lapis-lazuli-rough-boulder-specimen-badakhshan-357g","provider":"Premier Fine Minerals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}