Polished Lapis Lazuli Block, 1850g, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

About this polished Lapis Lazuli block

This is a polished lapis lazuli block from Badakhshan, Afghanistan, and it weighs 1850 grams. The stone is fine-grained lazurite in a deep royal blue, with an even tone across its polished faces. It is a chunky piece rather than a flat slab: 18.0 cm long, 12.1 cm across and 5.4 cm thick.

Pyrite and surface

Bright golden pyrite runs through the blue as veins and cloudy patches. As you turn the block, the metallic flecks pick up the light against the dark ground. If you want to know how pyrite fits into judging Lapis quality, read our Afghan Lapis Lazuli buying guide.

Where it sits best

The thickness lets the block stand on its own, so it works as a centerpiece on a desk, mantel or gallery shelf without a stand.

More to explore

Compare it with other pieces in our polished stone collection, or see every piece in the Lapis Lazuli collection. Not sure whether to buy rough or polished? Our guide on how collectors decide between rough and polished can help.