Gem Notes
Learn the stone before you buy it
Straight answers on identifying, pricing, choosing and caring for natural gemstones — written for buyers in Pakistan, with the Urdu names you already know.
Wearing guide Wearing Zamurd: Finger, Metal, Day and the Right Setting
Ask most families in Pakistan how to wear zamurd, or panna, and you will hear the same answer: on the little finger of the right hand, in go…
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The customs, and the habits that keep opal bright How to Wear an Opal Ring: Finger, Metal, Friday and Wudu
The traditional answer is simple. Opal goes on the ring finger or the middle finger of the right hand, in silver or another white metal, and…
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Ketu's stone, the customs around it, and how to set it so the eye shows Wearing Lehsunia (Cat's Eye): Finger, Metal, Trial and Setting
Cat's eye, called lehsunia in Urdu and Hindi, is traditionally worn on the middle finger or little finger of the right hand, set in silver o…
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The loupe test that catches most fakes, and what still needs a lab Asli Zabarjad Ki Pehchan: Telling Real Peridot from Glass and Look-Alikes
Real peridot (zabarjad) has a soft, slightly oily green somewhere between lime and grass, small disc-shaped inclusions called lily pads, and…
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Wearing guide Wearing Moh-e-Najaf: Which Hand, Which Finger, Silver and Setting
Moh-e-Najaf is generally worn in a silver ring on the right hand, usually on the ring finger or the little finger, and many families put it…
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Why colour outweighs size, and how to compare quotes fairly Aquamarine (Beruj) Price in Pakistan: Reading the Blue, the Carat and the Ratti
Ask any dealer what an aquamarine (beruj) is worth and the first thing they will do is look at the blue. How deep is it, and how pure? Only…
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How moss agate is really priced, stone by stone Shajri Aqeeq (Moss Agate) Price in Pakistan: Paying for the Picture
With most gems, a dealer can weigh the stone, glance at the colour and give you a rate. Shajri aqeeq does not work like that. What you are p…
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Price guide Feroza Prices in Pakistan: What the Money Actually Goes On
Two pieces of feroza can look nearly identical in a bazaar tray and still be priced miles apart. The difference usually comes down to four t…
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Tradition and wear What Moti Is Believed to Do: Pearl Traditions, Wearers and Care
Few gems mean as much in Pakistani homes as the moti. You find it in a grandmother's earrings, in a bride's set, and in the small silver rin…
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Sheen, body colour, clarity and how to read a quote Moonstone (Chandrakant) Price in Pakistan: What the Glow Is Worth
Moonstone, chandrakant or chandramani to most of our customers, is one of the friendlier gems on the budget, and that is a big part of its c…
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Purpose, colour, clarity, cut and the questions to ask before you order Buying Peridot (Zabarjad) Online in Pakistan: A Step-by-Step Guide
Peridot is an easy stone to like and a fairly easy one to buy. It comes in one colour family, it is seldom treated, and our own northern mou…
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The moving band of light, colour, polish and how to read per-ratti quotes Tiger Eye (Chashm-e-Babri) Prices in Pakistan: What Makes One Worth More
Tiger eye is one of the cheapest natural stones you can buy in Pakistan, and one of the easiest to find. Walk through any gem bazaar, from K…
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Price guide Black Agate Prices in Pakistan: What Makes One Kala Aqeeq Cost More
Black agate, kala or siyah aqeeq as most people here call it, is a stone a lot of people buy for their very first ring. It is affordable, to…
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