Small is useful when you are planning an emerald ring, and this 0.95 carat Swat stone is small. Set in gold or silver it can sit low, with the metal shielding its edges. A raised claw is risky, because emerald is hard but brittle.

Swat is Pakistan's own emerald source, and zamurd from there has been part of the local trade for a long time. This piece, AG-000299, rates 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale: hard enough for regular wear, yet the natural fissures inside the stone leave it open to damage from a sharp knock.

Which setting, then? A bezel or a closed-back pendant gives the most protection. Message us on WhatsApp to talk through a custom silver ring setting; describe what you have in mind and we will tell you honestly whether the stone suits it.

Nearly every emerald is oiled or filled with resin so its fissures show less, and this one is in the commonly oiled group, so ask what we hold on it. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and hot water; a soft damp cloth is safest. The rest of the emerald range shows other sizes, and our guide to real and fake emerald helps you check one yourself.

Pay on delivery after a good look; Karachi orders usually arrive in 1–2 working days, the rest of Pakistan in 2–4, and returns are accepted within 7 days.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural emerald, known in Urdu as Zamurd, with a weight of 0.95 Carat. Its price is Rs. 15,000 — roughly Rs. 15,789 for each carat. Origin: Swat, Pakistan. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-000299 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.

Under two carats, a stone like this sits neatly in a slim ring, a stud or a delicate pendant and does not snag on sleeves. It is also where many first-time buyers begin when a stone is recommended for astrological reasons, because the total cost stays modest.

On the Mohs scale emerald rates 7.5 to 8. It handles daily wear, but a hard knock can still nick an exposed corner, so a protective setting is a sensible choice. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, and keep it away from abrasive cleaners and high heat.

Whoever you buy emerald 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 emerald 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): Almost all emerald (zamurd) is oiled or resin-filled to reduce the visibility of natural fissures. 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.