Last chance for Lapis from Afghanistan, Don't miss out! Options

[Dypheron]

Alright folks, my time in this land that fun forget is rapidly coming to an end, which means my access to reasonably priced Lapis is coming to an end as well. I've decided to offer to everyone the chance to get some Lapis Lazuli from its traditional home! See below for an example, two fine specimens that I got for Caveman a few months ago. Slabs similar in size to those run will run between $60-80 depending on the weight. I can get smaller or larger as well. I can also get smaller bits that are roughly the size of a typical plastic soda bottle cap that are $5 a piece but they're not economical to ship by themselves.

Also available is interesting, they claim that it's Jade from somewhere in Afghanistan but all of my research tells me that the closest area that produces Jade is Myanmar. In any case it's very pleasing to the eye and is priced similar to the lapis, although most of the specimens are egg shaped rather than slabs.

Shipping will be $15-20 depending on the weight and size of the package, bear in mind that it's coming from the other side of the world and will probably sit here for a week or two before it leaves. Insurance and tracking are included in the price. Also, while I did say this offer was open to everyone that visits the forums I'm also going to offer discounts to active members. Please see my other thread in the members only section for further details. If you're not a member yet, join! Not only will you have access to the researched panning areas, you can tag along on member outings, hang out in our monthly online meetings, and get a great discount on cool stones from a place you've never wanted to visit! If you happen to join as a result of wanting to experience the pure awesome of being a member tell Dan & Denise I sent you and use my referral code BB307. I'll send you a random doodad or thingamajig from Afghanistan upon my return at the end of June! You know you want a doodad!

I will be going tomorrow to pick up a selection of random sizes and shapes that I'll post with sizes and prices in the next few days. If you're interested at all in getting a piece please let me know before the first of May, I can not guarantee that I'll be able to get anything past then as the shop is going to close sometime next month. Payment via Paypal only, I will consider holding a specimen for active members only.


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[fenixsmom]

Beautiful specimens dypherion!!!

[Dypheron]

Alright, would have posted these earlier in the week but it's been pretty crazy around here. The shop didn't have a large selection to choose from when I went but was expecting a shipment today, so I'll check tomorrow and see what they got. Slim pickings for mostly solid blue lapis, hopefully they get a few good pieces in soon. I'm trying to track down a damn ruler so I can post some measurements. In any case all pictures have a tactical quarter and/or my trusty SOG trident for scale which happens to be 8.5 inches long for scale.

First slab, roughly 1 inch thick, non member price is 105 shipped
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Next we have a nice block roughly 3x3 base with tapered top, non member price 115 shipped.
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This next one was holding my desk down for a few days, it's a much deeper blue than the other pieces and is dotted with calcite, this one will not hurt my feelings in the least if I have to put it on my shelf at home. non member price 250 shipped.
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And last we have what is probably jade, but I'm still not 100% sure it is. In any case it's quite pretty and satisfying to hold in the hand. Slab on left is 65 shipped, slab on right is 60 shipped.
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[Denise]

Fantastic pieces Dypheron!! Those will make great things like cabochons, knife handles or sculptures. I see a whale or dolphin popping out of the water in the piece that is holding your desk down. Love the spots of white Calcite! We are thinking that the green pieces are not Jade but are possibly Bowenite. Very pretty stuff and will also work nicely into cabs or sculptures.

[Dypheron]

Fantastic pieces Dypheron!! Those will make great things like cabochons, knife handles or sculptures. I see a whale or dolphin popping out of the water in the piece that is holding your desk down. Love the spots of white Calcite! We are thinking that the green pieces are not Jade but are possibly Bowenite. Very pretty stuff and will also work nicely into cabs or sculptures.

Yup, I'd say that's what it is. It's funny, I stopped by the shop today to see if they got anything new in stock and finally noticed that while it was on display near the jade it was actually part of the jade section. Oh well. They'll look good on my shelf.

Is there any actual interest in specimens? I need to know fairly soon so I can try to find something that would fit the price range and size that someone might be looking for.

[Denise]

Being back in the states, I was wondering if you still have any of the Laps Lazuli and Bowenite left for sale Brandon?

[Dypheron]

Of course! I think I'm going to keep the large chunk of Lapis for myself but I still have the two smaller specimens and the Bowenite. If you want one let me know and I'll bring it down your way.

[Denise]

Good choice Brandon, that larger piece is awesome! I was actually eyeing up that smaller Bowenite piece. Since you posted it, I have pictured it shaped into leaves curling up that would sit under a beautiful Lapis Lazuli flower or butterfly. I think the two of them would look great sculpted together making one amazing piece. It's a 2 1/2 - 4 on the Mohs hardness scale so would be a lot easier to work than the agate I have been working with. I will have to get back to you on that though, just wanted to make sure you still had it for sale.......Thanks Brandon.

Great price on the Lapis Lazuli and Bowenite, so If someone is interested you should jump on it while he still has some.

[Denise]

I bet most probably think the Bowenite in the pics look more like green bars of jell soap, rather than leaves.

Sorry, off topic but.....why are the tips of your bullets green?

[Dypheron]

Sorry, off topic but.....why are the tips of your bullets green?

That's the marking for 62 grain M855 (or NATO SS109) 5.56mm ammunition with a stainless steel penetrator core.


New M855A1 ammo is lead free and much better. Solid copper with an exposed penetrator, and it looks cooler too. That's important, that tacticooooool look.

[Coalbunny]

I'd love to have a nice chunk of lapis, but a bit short on the green.