Oval blue Afghan lapis lazuli ring, rhodium-plated 925 silver, 0.7x0.8 cm

Lapis lazuli is known for its deep blue: this ring presents it as an oval in a prong setting, on rhodium-plated 925 silver, as part of our Classic collection.

The stone measures 6 x 8 mm and the ring weighs 1.7 g. It suits the index finger as well as the ring finger, alone or with a slim band, and its blue goes as well with white as with gray.

Lapis lazuli is not a single mineral but a rock, whose characteristic blue comes from lazurite, veined with white calcite and flecked with golden specks of pyrite. It is born from the transformation of limestone under heat and pressure. Its most famous deposit, in the Badakhshan mountains of Afghanistan, has been mined for several thousand years; it is also found in Chile and Russia. From Mesopotamia to Rome, it was sought after as a royal stone: the Egyptians inlaid it in Tutankhamun's funerary mask, and Renaissance painters ground it to obtain ultramarine blue, one of the most expensive pigments on their palette.

The stone in your jewelry comes from Afghanistan.

In lithotherapy, lapis lazuli is seen as a stone of wisdom and truth. It is credited with the power to clear the mind, support intuition and help you express yourself sincerely. It may also help release tension and find a form of inner peace. Tradition associates it with the Third Eye Chakra and with the signs of Sagittarius, Taurus and Aquarius. None of this has been scientifically demonstrated: these benefits belong to the beliefs of lithotherapy and are in no way a substitute for medical advice. Wearing lapis lazuli is first and foremost the pleasure of a midnight blue scattered with gold.

Your rhodium-plated 925 silver jewelry needs no special care. Clean it in lukewarm, soapy water with a soft cloth, then dry it. Avoid hard brushes, which can scratch it, and harsh chemicals. Over time, the rhodium layer may wear off: a jeweler can then apply a new one.

Lapis lazuli is a fairly soft stone, sensitive to knocks, chemicals and heat. Even if the metal of your jewelry can handle water, the stone itself is porous: never soak it, and take off your jewelry for the shower, swimming, sports or housework. Apply perfume and cream before putting it on, and store it separately so that it does not get scratched by other jewelry. To clean it, rinse the stone quickly in lukewarm, lightly soapy water, then dry it immediately with a soft cloth. Never use nail polish remover, alcohol, ultrasonic or steam cleaners. In lithotherapy, it is recharged for a few hours in moonlight, possibly on a quartz cluster, rather than in the sun.

925 silver is an alloy made up of 92.5% pure silver. Rhodium plating gives it a shiny finish that limits tarnishing. Designed to be worn every day, with complete peace of mind: our jewelry complies with the European REACH regulations on nickel, lead and cadmium. Each piece is hallmarked and comes with its certificate of authenticity. The hallmarking combines the 925 fineness mark and a sponsor's mark registered in the European Union; only pieces too small to be stamped are exempt.

For you if you like intense blues and opaque stones, or for a gift that makes a change from transparent stones. Rhodium-plated 925 silver is hypoallergenic and complies with REACH regulations: it suits most sensitive skin.