Here are the questions we hear most about this 2.40 carat Afghan neelam, reference AG-000744.

What exactly is it?

A natural blue sapphire from Afghanistan. The weight is small to mid-sized for sapphire, and it sits neatly in a ring.

Has it been heated?

Heating is the norm, because it improves colour and clarity, and a stone that was never heated costs more. Ask us about this exact stone on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know. Independent lab testing is your choice if you want it.

Will it scratch?

Very rarely. Sapphire is 9 on the Mohs scale, so ordinary wear leaves it unmarked. Only diamond is harder.

Can I see it before paying?

Yes. It comes Cash on Delivery, so you open the parcel and look first. Compare the blue against the photographs we send; a stone this size should show an even colour when you turn it under a lamp. Unused stones can be returned within 7 days.

Similar stones are in the sapphire collection, and our sapphire guide covers what to look for.

Karachi orders usually arrive in 1–2 working days, other cities in 2–4.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural sapphire, known in Urdu as Neelam, with a weight of 2.4 Carat. Its price is Rs. 18,000 — roughly Rs. 7,500 for each carat. Origin: Afghanistan. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-000744 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.

Between two and six carats is the range most people choose for a gents' ring or a noticeable pendant. Here colour drives the price more than size does, which is why two stones of near-identical weight can be priced very differently.

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.