Large enough to be a proper centrepiece in a ring, light enough to wear in comfort: at 3.45 carats, this Kashmir-listed blue sapphire sits in a very practical size. The colour is blue, and its hardness is 9 on the Mohs scale. The reference is AG-000816.

Its rate per carat reflects two things. Origin names carry a premium in sapphire, and small-to-mid stones are priced at a higher rate per carat than large ones. So the figure is neither a bargain nor a warning; it simply tells you what kind of stone this is.

Setting it

Silver is the usual first choice, and we can discuss a custom silver ring setting on WhatsApp. Gold is worth considering for long-term wear. Four or six claws let the light in, which suits a stone of this depth.

Questions to ask

Heating is common in sapphire, so do ask us what we know about this particular stone. If the Kashmir origin is important, independent lab testing is your choice to arrange.

Neelam is linked with Saturn in Vedic tradition; many people consult an astrologer before wearing it.

Browse other sapphires, and read our sapphire guide.

Inspect it at your door, then pay. Karachi usually 1–2 working days, the rest of Pakistan 2–4, and returns within 7 days.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural sapphire, known in Urdu as Neelam, with a weight of 3.45 Carat. Its price is Rs. 15,380 — roughly Rs. 4,458 for each carat. Origin: Kashmir. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-000816 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.