Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Natural Lapis Lazuli Plate Specimen

$2,604.97
£1,895
€2,219.36
CA$3,638.23
A$3,945.75
CHF 2,072.46
MX$47,928.04
NOK 25,933.51
SEK 24,417.85
DKK 16,569.02

About the Item

A natural Lapis lazuli specimen of a plate-like form. Also known as lazurite, this raw mineral originates from Afghanistan. It is quite eye-catching as it showcases a bright vivid blue colour. It would certainly make for an impressive display piece in any home, or in a collectors cabinet. Distinct crystals were thought to be very rare until large numbers were brought out of the mines of Badakhshan, Afghanistan, in the 1990s. These mines remain a major source today. More on Lapis Lazuli What is it? Lazurite is the main component of lapis lazuli and accounts for the stones intense blue colour. The best quality lapis lazuli is intense dark blue, with minor patches of white calcite and brassy yellow pyrite. History This relatively rare and striking mineral was used as a gemstone for millennia by the Egyptians: the mask of Tutankhamun has it inlaid around the eye holes. There was also an earring made from lapis lazuli found in his tomb, which dates from 14th century BC. Other items made from the mineral include scarabs, pendants, and beads, which date as far back as 3100BC. In the 4th century BC, both the Chinese and the Greeks carved various lapis lazuli artefacts. Its powdered form was used for hundreds of years to make the pigment ultramarine, which has now been replaced by a synthetic alternative. The first eye shadow was made from lapis lazuli. It was also used for pigments and medicine. Additional Information Comes with an exclusive medium custom-made neoclassical style display plinth – ø17cm x height 6.5cm. Traces of pyrite and white calcite. Overall dimensions are for specimen and base. Additional dimensions (specimen only): Height: 20.5cm (8.07 in) Width: 19cm (7.48 in) Depth: 4cm (1.57 in) Weight: 1.61kg (3.5 lbs)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10.63 in (27 cm)Width: 7.49 in (19 cm)Depth: 1.58 in (4 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Prehistoric
  • Condition:
    It is not colour enhanced or dyed. This is a naturally made, prehistoric specimen formed by nature over thousands of years. As such, formations, variations and markings are natural and are to be celebrated as features of each specimen.
  • Seller Location:
    Wormelow, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 9335541stDibs: LU2096337527502

More From This Seller

View All
Large Freestanding Polished Lapis Lazuli Freeform
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large scale freestanding polished lapis lazuli freeform originating from Afghanistan, one of two similar naturally-formed lapis lazuli specimens we are selling. With its naturally...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Afghan Natural Specimens

Materials

Natural Fiber

Freestanding Polished Lapis Lazuli Freeform
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large scale freestanding polished lapis lazuli freeform originating from Afghanistan, one of two similar naturally-formed lapis lazuli specimens we are selling. With its naturally...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Afghan Natural Specimens

Materials

Natural Fiber

Large Sculptural Blue Sodalite Specimen
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large sculptural blue sodalite granite specimen with a polished face and a roughly shaped ‘live’ edge. At 56cm in height, this rare, large sized mineral is spectacular in scale, be...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Natural Specimens

Materials

Granite

Natural Witherite Plate Specimen
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A rare, naturally occurring witherite plate specimen from Settlingstones Mine in Northumberland UK, presented on an exclusive medium size painted plaster display plinth. Originally w...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier English Natural Specimens

Materials

Multi-gemstone

Large Natural Amethyst Plate Specimen
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large scale natural amethyst specimen originating from Brazil. Crystals from Brazil are most often found as radiating masses, with individual crystals appearing as pyramids. This e...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Brazilian Natural Specimens

Materials

Amethyst

Large Natural Purple Fluorite Mineral Specimen
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large naturally-occurring purple fluorite mineral specimen, presented on one of our exclusive medium bases for display. Discovered in a range of colours, fluorite specimens can ra...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Natural Specimens

Materials

Crystal, Rock Crystal

You May Also Like

Polished lapis lazuli slab
Located in London, GB
This striking lapis lazuli slab from Afghanistan displays an intense, royal blue hue, dramatically intersected by natural veins of white calcite and sparkling golden pyrite. Expert...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Afghan Natural Specimens

Materials

Crystal, Rock Crystal, Lapis Lazuli

Polished lapis lazuli slab
$7,500
Free Shipping
Decorative Mounted Lapis Lazuli Section
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous slab of vibrant lapis lazuli. Lapis lazuli inclides lazurite (intense blue), calcite (white veins) and pyrite (gold flecks). Prized since ancient times, this is a wonder...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Afghan Natural Specimens

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Slim royal lapis lazuli
Located in London, GB
This refined, slim-cut lapis lazuli slab from Afghanistan showcases an exceptionally deep, velvety blue with subtle golden pyrite flecks and faint calcite veining. Despite its slen...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Afghan Natural Specimens

Materials

Crystal, Lapis Lazuli, Rock Crystal

Slim royal lapis lazuli
$1,500
Free Shipping
Lapis Lazuli Specimen
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully polished lapis lazuli mineral specimen from Afghanistan. This semi-precious stone has been prized since antiquity due to its intense, beautiful blue coloring and golden speckles. It was also used in the fine arts, in a crushed powder form, as a component of artist's pigments and, as such, was the most expensive pigment during the Renaissance period. Lapis Lazuli Specimen...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Natural Specimens

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Large Polished Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan in its Natural Form
Located in NICE, FR
We are delighted to present you with this incredible polished piece of Lapis Lazuli, a deep blue metamorphic rock often used in jewelry and decoration. The stone displays a vibrant...
Category

20th Century Afghan Natural Specimens

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli Freeform
Located in New York, NY
Bring instant sophistication to any interior with this monumental Lapis Lazuli freeform, a natural sculpture of remarkable scale and beauty. Rising 28 inches high and weighing approx...
Category

2010s Afghan Natural Specimens

Materials

Lapis Lazuli