How much is Afghan lapis worth?

Lapis lazuli is not an expensive stone, but truly fine material is still rare. Lower grades may sell for less than $1 per carat, while the superfine material may reach $100–150/ct. or more at retail.

What precious stones are found in Afghanistan?

Precious gems including emeralds, ruby and sapphires (Figure 2) are mined in Afghanistan, and semi-precious lapis lazuli, tourmaline, aquamarine, kunzite, topaz, garnets, fluorite and varieties of quartz are also worked.

What is Afghan lapis?

Lapis is a vivid dark blue, like the sky at twilight or the ocean depths. The greatest reserves of this “blue treasure” are in Afghanistan, where it has been mined from the same small area of a single river valley in the remote Afghan province of Badakshan for more than 6,000 years.

What does lapis lazuli look like?

Variously described as indigo, royal, midnight, or marine blue, lapis lazuli’s signature hue is slightly greenish blue to violetish blue, medium to dark in tone, and highly saturated. In its most-prized form, lapis lazuli has no visible calcite, although it might contain gold-colored pyrite flecks.

Is there Turquoise in Afghanistan?

Afghanistan is most famous as the source of the world’s finest lapis lazuli. Afghanistan is believed to have significant deposits of emerald, ruby, kunzite, tourmaline and aquamarine; as well as deposits of spinel, garnet, amethyst, morganite and turquoise.

Are Afghan rubies good?

Fine examples of natural Afghan emeralds are second only to the Colombian emerald in terms of quality, colour and price and they are generally considered slightly superior to most African stones. Rubies and sapphires are highly prized precious gems that are found in very small quantities in Afghanistan.

Does all lapis lazuli come from Afghanistan?

Today, lapis lazuli is mined at the ancient deposits of Afghanistan. Additional deposits are mined in Chile, Siberia, the United States, and Myanmar.

What is a blue stone called?

Sapphire
The most common blue stone is a Sapphire, however, the deep blue color can also be found in other gemstones such as Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli and Zircon. There are also much lighter or softer blue stones with the most common of the lighter stones being Topaz, and Aquamarine.

Is lapis lazuli only found in Afghanistan?