Lapis Lazuli Cab • A • Trapezoid • 36 mm

An exquisite masterpiece that transcends visual expectations made with Lapis Lazuli. This top-quality cabochon meets the highest expectations of jewelers. The impeccable cutting quality represents the superior craftsmanship of our experienced in-house master gem cutters. Ethical sourcing and production. Environmentally friendly and carbon neutral.

Description: Lapis Lazuli is a deep-blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. Originating from the Persian word for the gem, lāžward, lapis lazuli is a rock composed primarily of the minerals lazurite, pyrite, and calcite. Lapis lazuli artifacts, dated to 7570 BC, have been found at Bhirrana, which is the oldest site of Indus Valley civilisation. By the end of the Middle Ages, lapis lazuli began to be exported to Europe, where it was ground into powder and made into the pigment ultramarine. Ultramarine was used by some of the most important artists of the Renaissance and Baroque, including Masaccio, Perugino, Titian and Vermeer, and was often reserved for the clothing of the central figures of their paintings, especially the Virgin Mary.

• Color: Dark Blue, mottled with white, and flecks of pyrite

• Origin: Afghanistan

• Hardness: 5-6 on the Mohs scale,

• Chakra: Activating the third eye chakra, Lapis Lazuli raises self-awareness and facilitates an inward journey to uncover your authentic self.

• Astrological Sign: Leo

• Ethically produced: Gemrock does not normally buy lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, because the sale of this rock finances the Taliban Regime. We possess a small quantity of Afghan Lapis which was given to us as a payment alternative from a client in financial trouble. Our Cabochons are exclusively produced by our in-house gemcutters. Our staff works under legal labor contracts, at higher than average salaries, and receives all labor benefits as well as excellence bonuses and a share in the companies’ profits.

• Environmentally friendly and carbon-neutral: Gemrock continuously works towards saving water and energy, and reducing waste along its entire production chain. The remaining impact is measured via carbon footprint evaluation and is neutralized by a reforestation project financed by a small percentage of our profits from each cabochon.