This lapis lazuli buying guide provides the basic guidelines buyers need to find the best supply available.
In other words, your buying decision shouldn’t be left to chance, as you’ll need some basic help on where to find these gems and what to look out for in terms of quality.
Buyers of Lapis Lazuli
Sometimes known as lapis, which in Latin translates to ‘stone,’ Lapis Lazuli is a blue stone that’s been considered valuable for many centuries.
Its intense color is one of the main reasons it’s highly prized. You’ll need some guidance if you’re interested in purchasing these gems.
Buyers’ Guide
Whatever your needs are as a buyer, one thing is sure; the need to find the best products available.
Several factors affect buyer choices when it comes to finding the right gemstones. These include the clarity flaws, color intensity, cut, and carat weight.
Before we explain each of these factors, we must state the common crystal combinations for lapis lazuli. The relevance of these combinations will be determined by what you plan on using them for.
When applied to spiritual awareness or awakening, combining certain gemstones with lapis lazuli is likely.
Examples of such combinations include citrine, chrysocolla, turquoise, pyrite, hematite, black obsidian, sodalite, moldavite, malachite, and amethyst.
Any of these gemstones can be combined with lapis lazuli. With that said, let’s discuss each of the factors mentioned earlier, shall we?
i. Clarity Flaws
Clarity is one of the critical factors experienced lapis lazuli buyers look out for.
For the most part, these gemstones are opaque. Calcite or pyrites are primary constituents of lapis lazuli. These may be combined or found individually.
The appearance resulting from the distribution of pyrite can influence buyer interest. Such inclusions are identified as clarity flaws.
The more inclusion, the less attractive the gemstone becomes. Those containing well-distributed pyrite inclusions give the illusion of stars strewn across the night sky.
Buyers are primarily drawn to such flaws as the aesthetics are significantly improved.
Compared to pyrite, calcium inclusions or impurities in lazuli aren’t as appealing. They create primarily undesirable clarity flaws. Such may appear as streaks of grey or white through the stone.
The Chilean types mostly contain calcite inclusions that tend to grey the stone. That is why they’re mostly considered the least valued of this gemstone.
So, can this gem be found with a smoothly uniform body color? Absolutely! Some are free of visible pyrite and calcite.
Such would generally be considered as having the least clarity flaw. As a buyer, expect these to be more expensive than those with deficiencies.
ii. Color Intensity
Lapis lazuli primarily gets its color from the sulfur found in the mineral lazurite. In its most prized form, this gemstone has no visible calcite.
To most experienced buyers, dull and greenish lapis lazuli will quickly be considered lower quality. This feature signals the presence of excess pyrite.
So, what should you be looking at in terms of the color features of this gemstone?
For the most part, color variations for lapis lazuli include marine blue, midnight, indigo, royal, violet blue, greenish blue, and medium to dark tones.
For many first-time buyers, this might seem like a lot of information to process.
To make our discussion a lot more comprehensive, lapis lazuli can be found in a variety of blue shades as well as other hues. For the most part, you find most people describing the color of this gemstone as predominantly dark blue.
As a buyer, it’s important to note that what generally affects the color or appearance of lapis lazuli is the mineral constitution it has. It’s no secret that different minerals can be found within it.
The value of lapis lazuli will be determined by its color intensity.
Specifically, the different lapis types by value include Afghan or Persian, Siberian or Russian, and Chilean lazuli. Here, the reference to countries doesn’t necessarily mean it originates from such locations.
The Afghan or Persian lazuli tends to be the most prized. The color is intense, uniform, medium dark, and slightly violet blue. Next in order of importance is the Siberian or Russian lazuli.
This has multiple tones and intensities of blue. The Chilean variety is the least valuable of all.
iii. Cut
As a lapis lazuli buyer, another thing you should be interested in is the cut. Different cutting styles are intricately done to fit several purposes.
Those meant for jewelry are cut in multiple styles, including tablets, beads, decorative carvings, cabochons, and inlays.
While some are decorative, other carvings or cuts are made as wearable art.
Based on this reality, you’ll have to decide what cut type to go for. If you’re undecided as a buyer, you’ll need to research these cuts to see what fits your specific use.
Based on such an assessment, you can make informed buying decisions. Taking your time to identify the different cuts will be a worthwhile venture that will help with future purchases.
iv. Carat Weight
Lapis lazuli weight and size are also one of several primary considerations you’ll have to make as a buyer.
Larger-fashioned lazuli stones tend to be more common compared to other gemstones. These can be carved into various art objects. You only need to decide what serves your needs.
Where to Buy Lapis Lazuli
There are tons of online resources where buyers can easily find buying sources. It starts by typing “lapis lazuli buyers” on your search engine or browser.
Lots of results come up to pick from. Where you buy might be influenced by multiple factors, including the seller’s location.
Also, the volume of purchases, lapis lazuli size, seller reputation, and product options will influence your buying decisions. Whatever the case, it’s necessary to find a source that meets most or all of your buyer needsr.
Has this article been helpful? The focus on primary areas of concern for most lapis lazuli buyers gives you the needed guidance in making informed decisions.