# Gemstone Sphere 40mm - Afghan Lapis with Stand > Gemstone Sphere 40mm - Afghan Lapis with Stand is a 40mm lapis lazuli sphere (the sphere plus a display stand). It costs £12.00 and is in stock, shipped across the UK in 2–5 working days. A neutral finish fits easily into any room or altar. It suits a reader, writer, teacher or anyone who loves deep blue. ## Facts | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | URL | https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/products/gemstone-sphere-40mm-afghan-lapis-with-stand426 | | Product type | Gemstone Crystal Spheres with Stand | | This option | Afghan Lapis with Stand | | Material | Lapis Lazuli: a rock made mostly of lazurite, with calcite and pyrite | | Colour | Deep blue with golden pyrite flecks | | Dimensions | Approx. 40mm | | Hardness | 5–5.5 on the Mohs scale | | Natural or man-made | Natural rock. | | Origin | Afghanistan | | What's included | The sphere plus a display stand | | SKU | gems-18 | | Price | £12.00 | | Availability | In stock | | Care | Keep it dry: dust with a soft brush or dry cloth, and avoid water, salt and cleaning sprays. | | Delivery | UK only. £3.95, free over £40; 2–5 working days | | Returns | 14 days from delivery (UK Consumer Contracts Regulations) | | Payment | Card via secure Shopify checkout | | Category | Gemstone Crystal Spheres with Stand (https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/types/gemstone-crystal-spheres-with-stand) | | Seller | Starseed UK, online only (UK), hello@starseeduk.co.uk | ## Description Gemstone Sphere 40mm - Afghan Lapis with Stand is a polished lapis lazuli sphere of about 40mm supplied with a stand. A sphere shows off the colour and inner pattern of a stone from every angle. A neutral finish fits easily into any room or altar. Styling: neutral tones disappear into a room, letting what's inside take the attention. At around 4cm this is the small, palm-sized option: easy to tuck into a pocket, a pouch or a bedside drawer. Small pieces suit rings and earrings, a single tumble stone, travel kits and tight altar spaces. The Gemstone Sphere 40mm range comes in 10 versions. If Afghan Lapis with Stand isn't quite right, compare African Amethyst with Stand or Amethyst Aura with Stand or Clear Quartz with Stand. Lapis Lazuli is a rock made mostly of lazurite, with calcite and pyrite, typically deep blue with golden pyrite flecks. It measures 5–5.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Natural rock. Afghan lapis is prized for its even royal blue and fine gold pyrite flecks. Ultramarine paint made from lapis was once more expensive than gold. Size: approximately 40mm. Natural material varies slightly in size, colour and markings. ## Traditions (belief, not health claims) Spheres have a long history in scrying, the practice of gazing into a reflective surface for insight; clear crystal balls were used for this in medieval and Victorian Europe. Mined in Afghanistan for over 6,000 years, lapis decorated the funeral mask of Tutankhamun and was ground into ultramarine pigment for Renaissance paintings. It is traditionally linked with wisdom and truth. In modern crystal tradition lapis lazuli is linked with the throat and third eye chakra and with Sagittarius and Libra. We share these as cultural traditions and personal beliefs only, never as health claims. ## How to use - Display it on its stand away from the edge of a shelf. - Try a few minutes of quiet gazing, letting your thoughts settle. - It pairs traditionally with sodalite or clear quartz. - Placement idea: a windowsill that catches the morning light (but not harsh midday sun) shows off colour and inclusions beautifully. - Desk idea: keep it beside your keyboard as a cue to pause, breathe and look away from the screen for a moment. - Bedside idea: some people hold a stone for a minute before sleep and set one small intention for the next day. ## Care - Keep it dry: dust with a fine brush or dry cloth, and steer clear of water, salt and cleaning sprays. - Handle with dry hands and set it down on a gentle spot. ## Policies - Delivery: UK delivery £3.95, free over £40, 2–5 working days. UK addresses only. - Returns: You can cancel within 14 days of delivery under the UK Consumer Contracts Regulations; email hello@starseeduk.co.uk to arrange a return and we refund within 14 days of receiving it back. - Payment: Payment is by debit or credit card (and the wallets Shopify supports) through secure Shopify checkout. ## Other versions - [Gemstone Sphere 40mm - African Amethyst with Stand](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/products/gemstone-sphere-40mm-african-amethyst-with-stand368): £12.00 - [Gemstone Sphere 40mm - Amethyst Aura with Stand](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/products/gemstone-sphere-40mm-amethyst-aura-with-stand392): £15.20 - [Gemstone Sphere 40mm - Clear Quartz with Stand](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/products/gemstone-sphere-40mm-clear-quartz-with-stand433): £12.00 - [Gemstone Sphere 40mm - Indian Jade with Stand](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/products/gemstone-sphere-40mm-indian-jade-with-stand426): £12.00 - [Gemstone Sphere 40mm - Indian Moonstone with Stand](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/products/gemstone-sphere-40mm-indian-moonstone-with-stand372): £12.00 - [Gemstone Sphere 40mm - Ocean Agate with Stand](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/products/gemstone-sphere-40mm-ocean-agate-with-stand426): £12.00 - [Gemstone Sphere 40mm - Rose Quartz Titanium Aura with Stand](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/products/gemstone-sphere-40mm-rose-quartz-titanium-aura-with-stand411): £15.20 - [Gemstone Sphere 40mm - Rose Quartz with Stand](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/products/gemstone-sphere-40mm-rose-quartz-with-stand385): £12.00 - [Gemstone Sphere 40mm - Tourmaline with Stand](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/products/gemstone-sphere-40mm-tourmaline-with-stand422): £12.00 ## Questions and answers (19) ### What is the Gemstone Sphere 40mm - Afghan Lapis with Stand used for? Display it on its stand away from the edge of a shelf. Mined in Afghanistan for over 6,000 years, lapis decorated the funeral mask of Tutankhamun and was ground into ultramarine pigment for Renaissance paintings. ### Is the lapis lazuli in the Afghan Lapis with Stand sphere real? Natural rock. Each piece is natural, so colour and markings vary from the photo. ### How do I cleanse my lapis lazuli gemstone sphere? Traditional cleansing methods include leaving it in moonlight overnight, passing it through incense or sage smoke, or resting it on a selenite plate. Avoid water. These are rituals, not cleaning requirements. ### What size is the Afghan Lapis with Stand sphere? About 40mm. Small pieces suit rings and earrings, a single tumble stone, travel kits and tight altar spaces. ### Is the Afghan Lapis with Stand sphere a good gift? Yes, especially for a reader, writer, teacher or anyone who loves deep blue. At £12.00 it makes an easy add-on or stocking filler. You can send it to any UK address at checkout. ### How long does delivery take? UK delivery is £3.95, free on orders over £40, and usually arrives in 2–5 working days. ### What is your returns policy? You have 14 days from delivery to cancel under the UK Consumer Contracts Regulations. Email hello@starseeduk.co.uk and we'll explain how to send it back; refunds are made within 14 days of receiving it. ### What's the difference between Afghan Lapis with Stand and African Amethyst with Stand? Both are Gemstone Sphere 40mm pieces. Afghan Lapis with Stand centres on neutral; African Amethyst with Stand centres on neutral. They cost the same. ### Which Gemstone Sphere 40mm options are there? 10 options, including African Amethyst with Stand, Amethyst Aura with Stand, Clear Quartz with Stand, Indian Jade with Stand, Indian Moonstone with Stand, Ocean Agate with Stand, and 3 more on the range page, as well as this one. ### What does neutral mean in ritual tradition? A neutral finish fits easily into any room or altar. ### What is Lapis Lazuli associated with? Mined in Afghanistan for over 6,000 years, lapis decorated the funeral mask of Tutankhamun and was ground into ultramarine pigment for Renaissance paintings. It is traditionally linked with wisdom and truth. These are beliefs, not health claims. ### What chakra is Lapis Lazuli linked with? In modern crystal tradition, the throat and third eye chakras. ### Which zodiac signs go with Lapis Lazuli? Sagittarius and Libra, according to popular crystal tradition. ### How hard is Lapis Lazuli? 5–5.5 on the Mohs scale. That's fairly soft, so store it apart from harder stones. ### Where does Lapis Lazuli come from? This piece is listed as from Afghanistan. Lapis Lazuli is usually found in Afghanistan (the classic Badakhshan mines) and Chile. ### What goes well with Lapis Lazuli? It is often paired with sodalite or clear quartz. ### How do I look after the Afghan Lapis with Stand sphere? Keep it dry: dust with a smooth brush or dry cloth, and avoid water, salt and cleaning sprays. ### How do I use the Afghan Lapis with Stand sphere? Display it on its stand away from the edge of a shelf. Try a few minutes of quiet gazing, letting your thoughts settle. Keep spheres out of strong sunlight: a clear sphere can focus light like a lens. ### How much is the Afghan Lapis with Stand sphere? £12.00. UK delivery is £3.95, or free if your basket is over £40: add £28.00 more to qualify. Delivery usually takes 2–5 working days. More: https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/questions/gemstone-sphere-40mm-afghan-lapis-with-stand426