Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli From Afghanistan 2.95CT

Afghanistan is the historic source for the finest lapis lazuli in the world. Mined primarily in the remote, mountainous Badakhshan province, this royal blue metamorphic rock has been prized for over 6,500 years for use in jewelry, carvings, and as the source of the historic ultramarinepigment. 

• Origin: The Sar-e Sang mine in the Kokcha Valley of Badakhshan is the world's oldest continuously operating commercial gemstone source. 
• Appearance: The most prized lapis features a deep, uniform celestial or royal blue. It often contains glistening golden flecks of pyrite and thin white threads of calcite. 
• Historical Significance: Lapis was traded across ancient civilizations, from Mesopotamia and Egypt to Renaissance Europe. Ground into a powder, it yielded ultramarine, a pigment that was once worth more than gold. 

• Value: In the raw gemstone market, prices typically range from $250 to $1,200 a kilogram, depending on the richness of the blue color and absence of calcite veins. 
• Conflict Mineral: Because the supply chain is heavily linked to illicit mining and regional conflict, major jewelry brands largely avoid it. 
• Ethical Shopping: If you are looking to purchase verified, ethically-sourced Afghan lapis lazuli jewelry and crafts, consider supporting organizations like