Intense royal blue lapis lazuli Freeform - Height: 136 mm - Width: 115 mm- 1263 g - (1)

AAA quality - rare collector's specimen — This lot features a magnificent freeform piece of Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan's historic deposits, a substantial specimen of superior color quality. The stone has been skillfully shaped and polished into an organic, sculptural form designed to showcase its intrinsic beauty to the fullest. Its smooth, reflective surface catches the light, revealing a microcosm of colors and textures that tell a millennia-old geological story. A direct examination of the specimen reveals a palette dominated by deep, saturated ultramarine blue, the most sought-after shade of Lapis Lazuli, evoking the pigments used by Renaissance masters. This intense color is punctuated by a dense, irregular distribution of Pyrite. The bright golden metallic inclusions appear as flecks, veins, or sparkling clusters, creating an effect reminiscent of a starry night sky. This vibrant contrast is complemented by traces and areas of white and gray Calcite, which form cloud-like patterns and winding paths across the surface, adding visual depth and bearing witness to the rock's complex composition. The freeform shape, without sharp edges, follows soft, undulating lines that invite tactile exploration. From a mineralogical perspective, Lapis Lazuli is not a single mineral, but a metamorphic rock. It forms through a complex process of contact metamorphism within crystalline limestones. Its blue color is primarily due to the presence of the mineral Lazurite, while the golden inclusions are Pyrite crystals and the white veins are composed of Calcite. Its Afghan provenance, specifically the Badakhshan Province, is a mark of excellence in itself. The Sar-e-Sang deposits have been worked for over 6,000 years and have yielded the finest Lapis Lazuli in history. This specimen represents a perfect union of natural history and contemporary design. Weighing a substantial 1.2 kg, it makes a striking display piece, ideal for enhancing a high-end mineral collection, a professional office, or an interior design setting. Its nature as a “geological sculpture” makes it a perfect addition to a Wunderkammer, a conversation piece, and a tangible fragment of our planet's deep geological time. Technical details Name: Lapis Lazuli Classification: Metamorphic rock Origin: Afghanistan Dimensions: 136 x 115 x 70 mm Weight: 1263 g Condition: Natural specimen, shaped into a freeform and polished. No known damage or restoration.