If you are shopping for hematite, or hadeed as it is known in Urdu, there is one warning worth hearing before anything else. Much of what is sold as hematite in bazaars is actually "hematine", a magnetic, man-made imitation. Real hematite is normally sold just as it came out of the ground, so the sensible question is not about the stone family in general but about the particular piece in front of you.

So ask us about this one. It is a natural hematite of 8 carats with a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Message us on WhatsApp quoting AG-HE-0001 and we will tell you everything we know about it; if you want it confirmed independently, lab testing is your choice.

The stone comes from our hematite range. Eight carats is an easy size for everyday wear and still visible on the hand. You will notice the weight the moment you pick it up: hematite is a dense iron mineral and feels heavier than it looks, which is a nice first clue when the parcel arrives.

Avoid knocks, wipe it with a soft cloth after wearing, and keep it out of ultrasonic cleaners, which are too harsh for a stone of this hardness.

You see it first and pay afterwards, in cash, at your own door. Karachi orders usually arrive within 1 to 2 working days and the rest of Pakistan within 2 to 4, and an unused stone can be returned within 7 days. Read our hematite guide before you choose.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural hematite with a weight of 8 Carat. Its price is Rs. 1,130 — roughly Rs. 141 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-HE-0001 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 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.