Let's discover what makes lapis qualify as "high quality". There are a few things to look at when classifying lapis:

Is the lapis died? If it is died it will seem to be too uniform in color. Natural lapis should have small color variations. In summary, the larger the variations, then the lower the quality.

Waxed or not? During the polishing process, waxing the stone is a normal part of this procedure. Waxing doesn't alter the quality, but it does create a nice shine to the stone. Visit our website store below to view a good example of waxed, high quality lapis - especially the centerpiece of Butterfly with Lapis Necklace.

Is the Color Consistent? I mentioned above that the more uniform the color, the higher quality... as long as the stone is natural. Some lapis will have streaks of gold or patches of white. This indicates a lower quality, although this can add texture and dimension to the stone.

What is the real truth about pearls?

When looking at the value of pearls, there are two main characteristics to consider: size, measured in millimeters, and the quality of the finish, or nacre coating, which gives a pearl its luster.

Pearls require no polishing or faceting to shine. There are several types of pearls. Natural pearls are made by mollusks without human intervention, whereas cultured pearls, also grown by mollusks, require the addition of an irritant to the shell in order to make the pearl grow.

Since the 1920's, natural pearls are very rare. Most pearls used in jewelry today are either cultured or imitation. That is why it is very important to understand the difference between the two and to trust the source of your jewelry.