Cool to the touch, heavy and almost metallic, hematite is a stone people tend to love straight away or pass over entirely. At 23.35 carats this piece has a wide surface that shows that character off, and for its size it is one of the gentler-priced stones in the range.

Known as hadeed in Urdu, it is a natural hematite with a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6.5. That makes it best suited to pendants, or to rings with a closed silver bezel, and it should be kept apart from harder gems when stored. Message us on WhatsApp quoting AG-HE-0013 if you have any questions about it.

One thing every buyer should know: magnetic hematine is a manufactured imitation, and the real mineral should never be judged by a magnet alone. We will tell you what we know about this exact stone, and independent lab testing is open to you.

If you want to compare a few weights before deciding, browse the rest of the hematite category.

A stone this broad looks best with a simple setting, so let the hematite do the talking rather than adding stones around it.

Nothing is paid in advance. The rider hands you the parcel, you check the stone, and then you pay. Karachi is usually 1 to 2 working days, other cities 2 to 4, and you can return it unused within 7 days. Before you choose, read our hematite guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural hematite with a weight of 23.35 Carat. Its price is Rs. 2,630 — roughly Rs. 113 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-HE-0013 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.