No long story is needed for this 8.50 carat neelam, and that is the nice thing about it. Its rate per carat is clearly above the other large sapphires in this group, which tells you the stone is being valued on how it looks, not on its size.

Blue is the colour, and it is natural sapphire, not something grown in a laboratory. Hardness is 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond among gems you will see in jewellery shops, so a ring can handle the daily wear of keys, doors and handshakes.

What about treatment? The honest answer is that heating is routine for sapphire, and buyers should always ask. Message us on WhatsApp with reference AG-000767 and we will tell you what we know about this stone. If you want paperwork, independent lab testing is your choice to arrange.

Many buyers in Karachi, Lahore and elsewhere come to neelam because of Saturn in Vedic astrology, where it is traditionally worn on an astrologer's advice. Whatever your reason, look at the stone in daylight first, and compare it with others in our sapphire category.

Delivery anywhere in Pakistan is by insured, tracked courier at a flat Rs. 500 per order. Our sapphire guide is worth reading before you choose.

You pay in cash only after opening the parcel. Karachi usually 1–2 working days, other cities 2–4, and 7 days to return.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural sapphire, known in Urdu as Neelam, with a weight of 8.5 Carat. Its price is Rs. 31,500 — roughly Rs. 3,706 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-000767 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.

From six carats up a stone becomes the centre of attention. It wants a broader shank or a secure claw setting and suits an occasion ring, a signet or a centre pendant. Clean natural material of this size turns up far less often, and the per-carat rate reflects that.

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.