Polished Lapis Lazuli Block, 503g, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

A compact polished block from Badakhshan

At 503 grams, this polished Lapis Lazuli block is easier to place than the large blocks, but it keeps the thick shape. It comes from Badakhshan, Afghanistan, and the stone is fine-grained lazurite in a deep, even royal blue.

Size and shape

The block is nearly square at 10.0 cm by 9.2 cm, and 5.0 cm thick. It looks solid from every side, not like a flat slab. That also makes it easy to set on a shelf, and it stands steady without a stand.

Blue and gold in the stone

The polish is smooth across the main faces. Gold pyrite appears as veins and small clouds against the blue. Because the metallic flecks catch the light at different angles, the surface changes as you turn it. If you’re comparing pyrite in different pieces, our Lapis Lazuli price guide explains what affects the cost.

H3: Where Badakhshan Lapis comes from

Badakhshan is the region most collectors associate with Afghan Lapis. For the wider picture, read where Lapis Lazuli comes from.

See more

Browse other pieces in our polished stone collection, or see everything in the Lapis Lazuli collection.