Most hematite on the market comes in small pieces, so a 15 carat stone stands out. On a ring it is clearly a feature rather than an accent, and it also feels heavier in the hand than you might expect, because hematite is such a dense mineral.

How to judge hematite

Look for an even shine across the polish, and check the edges for chips, because a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 leaves it open to wear. A rich metallic lustre in daylight is a good sign. The classic identifier is a reddish-brown streak when the stone is rubbed across unglazed porcelain. Keep in mind that magnetic "hematine" is man-made and is not the real mineral.

About this stone

This is natural hematite, known in Urdu as hadeed, weighing 15 carats. Its neighbours are on the hematite page if you want to compare. Message us on WhatsApp quoting AG-HE-0007 and we will tell you plainly what we know about it; if you want written confirmation, independent lab testing is your choice.

Look before you pay: our riders bring the parcel, you open it, and you pay in cash only if the stone is right. Karachi is usually 1 to 2 working days, the other big cities 2 to 4, and you have 7 days to return it unused. Before you choose, read our hematite guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural hematite with a weight of 15 Carat. Its price is Rs. 1,880 — roughly Rs. 125 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-HE-0007 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 hematite rates 5.5 to 6.5. That makes it soft for a gemstone, better suited to pendants, earrings and rings for special occasions than to a daily ring. Keep it away from perfume, cleaning products, steam and ultrasonic cleaners, and polish it with a dry, soft cloth after wear.

Whoever you buy hematite 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 hematite 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): Natural hematite is usually untreated (beware magnetic "hematine", a man-made imitation). 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.