Extra Quality Afghan Lapislazzuli Slice - Natural Royal Blu Deep Color - Polished Freeform Specimen - Height: 131 mm - Width: 98 mm- 1572 g - (1)

Polished free-form lapis lazuli onyx, richly studded with golden inclusions — This presents a magnificent example of free-form polished lapis lazuli, from the historic mines of Afghanistan. This piece, of considerable size and weighing over a kilogram, immediately captures attention for its intense, deep blue coloration, evoking the most precious pigments in art history. The surface, masterfully worked, offers a sculptural and modern aesthetics, making it a highly impactful visual object. Looking at the specimen in detail, one appreciates the superb polish that enhances every chromatic shade and creates a surface almost glassy, smooth to the touch. The dominant color is a royal blue, deep and saturated, the quintessential high-quality lapis lazuli. Against this cobalt blue backdrop, there unfolds a fine, sparkling dispersion of pyrite. These golden specks and aggregates, like stardust, create the iconic effect of a “starry night sky.” The mineralogical tableau is completed by white and grayish calcite veins and areas, crossing the surface like bright brushstrokes, adding dynamism and testifying to the authenticity and the complex genesis of the rock. Lapis lazuli is not a single mineral, but a metamorphic rock composed of several minerals. Its unmistakable color is primarily due to the presence of lazurite, a complex silicate. Its formation occurs through contact metamorphism, typically in crystalline limestones following a magmatic intrusion. The mines of Badakhshan province in Afghanistan, active for over 6,000 years, are the oldest and most famous source in the world for this material, and specimens from this region are considered the benchmark for quality. This piece embodies the typical characteristics of that prestigious provenance. Few stones have such a rich and fascinating history. Since antiquity, lapis lazuli has been regarded as a gem of great value, a symbol of royalty, wisdom, and power. The ancient Egyptians used it extensively for jewelry, amulets, and ceremonial objects, as evidenced by Tutankhamun’s famous funeral mask. During the Renaissance, lapis lazuli powder was ground to produce the ultramarine pigment, the most expensive and sought-after by great painters. Possessing a specimen like this means guarding a fragment of geological and human history. With its organic shape and impeccable finish, this lapis lazuli qualifies as much as a fine mineralogical collectible as it does as a sophisticated design element. It is an ideal object to enrich a contemporary Wunderkammer, a library, or a study, where its sculptural presence and vibrant color can be admired. Its generous size and timeless aesthetics make it a focal point in any setting, capable of dialoguing with both classical and modern furnishings."} } }?Oops ensure proper JSON: It should be single object with translated_text. My string contains internal quotes; need escaping. We provided quotes around the whole string; internal quotes around