First, a short reality check on size. Fourteen carats of sapphire is a big stone; it fills the top of a ring and will be noticed. Before buying this 14.05 carat neelam, go through these points.

• Type: natural blue sapphire (neelam), Mohs hardness 9.
• Rate: low per carat for its size, so judge colour closely.
• Reference for WhatsApp enquiries: AG-000768.
• Treatment: sapphire is commonly heated; ask us what we know about this particular stone.
• On arrival: open the parcel in front of the rider and turn the stone in daylight to see the colour at several angles.
• Check that the details match the listing before you pay.

A stone this large usually suits a pendant or a wide-set ring better than a slim band. A custom silver setting is something we can talk about on WhatsApp.

More choices are listed under blue sapphire for sale, and our sapphire guide covers the basics.

Cash on Delivery lets you do all that checking before any money changes hands, and a 7-day return window follows. Karachi usually receives within 1–2 working days, other cities within 2–4.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural sapphire, known in Urdu as Neelam, with a weight of 14.05 Carat. Its price is Rs. 24,000 — roughly Rs. 1,708 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-000768 when you message us about it. The photographs show this exact stone, so what arrives at your door is the piece you chose on screen.

Above twelve carats you are into collector territory. Pieces this heavy are usually set as pendants or kept loose, and they are prized for the size of rough they came from. If you do set it, choose a bezel or a heavy claw to protect the edges.

On the Mohs scale sapphire rates 9. Few materials will scratch it, so it copes well with everyday ring wear. A soak in warm water with a drop of mild soap and a soft brush keeps it bright; skip the ultrasonic cleaner if inclusions reach the surface.

Whoever you buy sapphire from, make sure of three things: the stone is natural rather than lab-grown, glass or glass-filled; any treatment is stated in writing; and the weight quoted is the weight of the finished stone. We check every sapphire for those three points before it is listed, and because you pay on delivery you can look at the stone — or have it tested — before any money changes hands.

We sell natural stones only and inspect each one before it is listed. Treatment for this stone: Treatment not tested. No lab report yet; independent testing welcome. As general background (not a statement about this stone): Most sapphire on the market is heated to improve colour and clarity; unheated stones exist and cost more. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone; independent lab testing is available on request.

A certificate of authenticity is available on request for this stone, and independent laboratory testing can be arranged. Because you pay on delivery, you can also take the stone to a lab of your choice within the 7-day return window. Read more on our authenticity page.