Recently, quite a few people have come to ask me, "Old Zhou, lapis lazuli looks pretty nice, but is it tricky to deal with? I’m afraid of getting scammed on my first purchase. Do you have any tips to share?" To be honest, I’m straightforward and don’t like beating around the bush. If you ask me, lapis lazuli is indeed not as “complicated” as jadeite or Hetian jade, but beginners can easily get confused. Let me tell you, this stuff looks simple, but there’s quite a bit to it—especially now with so many live-stream sales, the traps are everywhere. Today, I’ll share with you some of my years of experience working in Ruili, including my own time playing with lapis lazuli.

What You Need to Know When Buying Lapis Lazuli for the First Time!

If you want to buy lapis lazuli for the first time, don’t rush to make a purchase. Let me give you some straight talk upfront. The most important factors are: color, presence of white, presence of gold, and whether the material feels dry. You need to have a clear idea about these four points.


    • Color: The more valuable lapis lazuli is the imperial blue—deep, pure, and free of any discoloration. Grayish, blackish, or uneven colors are definitely no good. Shine a flashlight on it to check for any grayish tint.

    • Presence of white: This is called “white spots” or “white veins,” which are calcite inclusions associated with lapis lazuli. The less white, the better—ideally, no visible white to the naked eye. Completely white-free lapis lazuli is a top-grade rarity, and prices soar accordingly. If there’s some white but the color is still good, the price will be lower.

    • Presence of gold: This refers to pyrite. Having gold flecks in lapis lazuli is normal, and some experienced collectors even prefer pieces with gold. But note, the gold flecks should be fine, evenly distributed, not too many, and not clustered. Large chunks or overly coarse gold spots detract from the appearance and are a minus rather than a plus.

    • Whether the material feels dry: Some stones look okay in color but feel very dry and rough, lacking that oily luster. When you hold them, they feel coarse. Such material is inferior, prone to dullness over time and lacks vitality. Good lapis lazuli feels somewhat warm and smooth to the touch.

Once you understand these points, you’ll have a mental scale to weigh against, so you won’t be easily fooled by sellers.

How to Choose Based on Different Budgets?

Many ask me, “Old Zhou, I only have this much money, what kind of lapis lazuli can I get?” I’ll tell you, it depends on what you’re after. Let me roughly divide it into a few tiers so you have an idea.

Budget of a Few Hundred RMB

If your budget is just a few hundred yuan and you want a bracelet or a small pendant, honestly, at this price range, don’t expect to get imperial blue, white-free, or gold-free lapis lazuli. What you can get is usually color that’s not very pure, possibly with some gray, obvious white spots, or noticeable gold flecks, even clustered gold spots. But as long as it’s natural and not dyed, wearing it yourself to experience the charm of lapis lazuli is fine. Remember, with a few hundred yuan, don’t chase perfection—just be content with “good enough.” Looking for a bargain? Let me tell you, those “bargain stories” are told by others; if you try to find one, you’ll likely pay your tuition.

Budget Around One to Two Thousand RMB

With this budget, you have more options. You can buy lapis lazuli bracelets or pendants with relatively good color, minimal white, and minimal gold. If you look carefully, you might find colors close to imperial blue, but there may still be tiny white spots or evenly distributed gold flecks that aren’t too conspicuous. At this price, you can aim for “white-free” or “low white” lapis lazuli that looks less obvious to the naked eye. The material can also be chosen to be more lustrous and less dry. I think this price range offers the best cost performance and is suitable for most beginners.

Budget of Three to Five Thousand RMB or Higher

If your budget is sufficient—three to five thousand or even tens of thousands—congratulations, you can pursue genuine imperial blue, white-free or low white, and even gold-free top-grade lapis lazuli. This level of lapis lazuli has deep, pure color, oily luster, fine crystalline texture, almost no visible white spots, and gold flecks that are tiny and scattered like stars in the night sky. Such lapis lazuli is highly valuable whether worn or collected. Of course, the price is steep, larger stones cost more, and fine carving adds to the price. When buying at this level, be sure to find a reliable seller and preferably get a certificate for assurance.

Where Is the Most Reliable Place to Buy?

Nowadays, buying is basically online or offline, and lapis lazuli is no exception. Each has its pros and cons; let me explain.

Offline Physical Stores

The advantage is obvious: you can touch it with your own hands, see it with your own eyes, under good lighting, so the color is more authentic. You can chat with the shop owner, hear stories, and bargain. For example, in my shop, many regular customers like to come for tea and chat while slowly choosing. If it’s your first time buying, I personally recommend going to a physical store if you can. Especially in production markets like Ruili, there are many goods and prices are relatively transparent. But the downside is you might have to make a trip, and if you don’t know much, you can easily be fooled by the seller’s sweet talk. I suffered this a lot when I first started.



    • Visit jewelry malls or jade markets: Look around, ask a lot, compare prices, and don’t rush to buy.

    • Find reputable old shops: Some shops have been around for many years, and owners tend to protect their reputation and won’t cheat.

    • Bring a knowledgeable friend: This is the safest way, though not everyone has this resource.

Online Channels

Nowadays, buying lapis lazuli online is very common—live streams, online shops, etc. The advantage is convenience—you don’t need to go out and can browse anytime, anywhere. Also, there’s a wide selection and fierce price competition, so sometimes you can find bargains. But the downside is, you know how it is—color differences, filters, lighting tricks, all traps. Photos and videos look stunning, but when you get the item, you think, “Wow, this isn’t what I saw in the picture!”



    • Choose stores with high credibility: Check reviews, especially negative ones, and look at return policies.

    • Request real object videos with multiple angles: Pictures alone aren’t enough; videos under natural light are best.

    • Ask clearly about certificates: Some sellers can provide national inspection certificates. While certificates aren’t foolproof, they offer extra assurance.

    • Don’t be greedy for cheap prices: If the price is too low, be suspicious—it might be dyed or pressed material. I’ve fallen into this trap before, buying a cheap bracelet that lost color as soon as I wore it. Very frustrating.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes Beginners Make?

Honestly, after doing business for so many years, I’ve seen too many beginners get scammed. Here are the main points:



    • Blindly chasing “imperial blue, no white, no gold”: Many hear these buzzwords and feel they must buy such pieces without considering their budget. The result is either being tricked into buying ordinary goods as top-grade or spending a lot on something not worth it.

    • Only looking at pictures, not the actual item: This is a common problem with online shopping. Filters can make even the worst stone look good.

    • Not understanding “you get what you pay for”: Always hoping to find a bargain. Let me tell you, real bargains are not that easy to find—sellers are smarter than you. If the price is abnormally low, there’s a 90% chance something’s wrong.

    • Not clarifying after-sales service and certificates: Finding problems after purchase and wanting to return or exchange is difficult. Ask these questions clearly before buying.

    • Believing in mystical “effects”: Lapis lazuli does have cultural symbolism, but don’t mythologize it—it’s primarily a decorative item. The miraculous effects some sellers claim are just for show; take them with a grain of salt.

Some Practical Buying Tips

After all this talk, here are a few practical suggestions. Follow these, and you’ll avoid many pitfalls.



    • Set your budget first, then look at the goods: Don’t browse aimlessly; have a rough budget in mind to focus your search.

    • Compare more, don’t rush: Look at several sellers, ask prices, and don’t get hot-headed from a seller’s pitch. Comparing three places never hurts.

    • Prioritize color and texture: Color is the soul of lapis lazuli; texture determines its beauty and durability. White and gold spots matter, but if color and texture are poor, other factors won’t help.

    • Touch it if you can: If possible, handle the stone to feel its weight, coolness, and oily luster.

    • Keep evidence in case of issues: For online purchases, keep chat records, transaction receipts, and video screenshots. These help if you need to defend your rights.

    • Don’t obsess over “perfection”: Natural stones are rarely flawless. Small imperfections can be their charm and proof of authenticity. Pursuing perfection is good, but don’t pay an excessive premium for it.

Alright, that’s all for today’s lapis lazuli buying guide. This field is deep but interesting. After all these years, my biggest takeaway is: when buying jade or stones, buy what you like and what catches your eye, but more importantly, buy with understanding and confidence.