This pendant has quality — a vivid royal blue lapis lazuli cabochon set in a clean rectangular gold frame with cut corners, finished in warm 18k yellow gold throughout. The stone color is the story here: uniform, deeply saturated, no calcite veining, sitting right at the top of what lapis lazuli can offer. The stone has a high dome, well-polished surface, and one narrow band of natural pyrite at the edge near the setting — not visible from straight on, and a genuine marker of natural material rather than a flaw. The bail is an enhancer style, meaning it hinges open to slide onto chains of varying widths — a practical and refined design choice that makes this pendant genuinely versatile. Both pendant and bail are solid 18k gold, confirmed by acid test and XRF analysis reading 18.79k (see photo).
There are no karat stamps or maker's marks present anywhere on this piece. This is not unusual for European fine jewelry of this period, where some production pieces and custom work left the workshop without standard retail markings. The metal content has been independently verified by testing as described.
For context, comparable pieces in this style and quality — solid 18k gold with a vivid lapis lazuli cabochon — sell for up to $1,400 in vintage jewelry boutiques.
Details:
Condition: Very good pre-owned condition. Stone surface clean with no chips, scratches, or crazing. Gold frame clean front and back. Ready to wear.
Why It Stands Out: Lapis lazuli is one of the oldest gemstones in human history, prized continuously for over 6,000 years. The color in this stone is what separates quality lapis from ordinary material: deep, vivid, uniform royal blue with no white calcite disruption. At 18k gold and 5.76 grams total, the metal content alone carries real weight at current gold prices — this is a piece with genuine intrinsic value, not just aesthetic appeal. The enhancer bail makes it practical for everyday wear on virtually any chain you already own.