On the hand, a 20.75 carat nephrite is impossible to miss. Anything over twenty carats is large for a coloured stone, and this one sits most naturally in a gents' ring or a heavy pendant, where a wide silver setting balances its weight.

Checking a large nephrite

Bigger stones show flaws more readily, so look for cracks, patchy colour and a polish that seems too shiny, which can hint at wax. Nephrite is tough, with a hardness of 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, but a long crack through a big stone is a genuine weak point.

About this one

It is natural nephrite, known in Urdu as sang-e-yashab. Some nephrite is dyed or waxed, so message us on WhatsApp quoting AG-NE-0013 and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone. The nephrite category has other pieces to compare.

Nothing is due until you have looked the stone over at your door. Karachi parcels usually arrive in 1 to 2 working days and those for other cities in 2 to 4, with 7 days to return an unused stone. Before you choose, read our nephrite guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural nephrite with a weight of 20.75 Carat. Its price is Rs. 9,380 — roughly Rs. 452 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-NE-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 nephrite rates 6 to 6.5. That is middle-of-the-road hardness: comfortable in pendants and earrings, and in rings worn with some care. Store it apart from harder stones so it does not pick up scratches, and wipe it with a damp cloth rather than scrubbing.

Whoever you buy nephrite 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 nephrite 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): Nephrite is usually untreated, though some is dyed or waxed. 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.