Take this 1.05 carat opal to a window and tilt it slowly. Colour will appear and fade as the angle changes. That effect, called play of colour, is the reason opal has been prized for centuries, and it is very easy to miss in a photograph.

It is a natural fire opal, a little over a carat, which makes it the sort of stone that belongs in a slim pendant or a pair of small earrings rather than a bulky cocktail ring. Small does not mean dull, though; the colour is what you are buying, and that can be lively in any size.

Opal is a gentle stone to live with. It rates 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, so harder gems and ordinary household grit will scratch it. Clean it only with a soft damp cloth, and keep it away from diamonds, sapphires and rubies in your jewellery box. Sudden heat is also bad for it, so avoid radiators, stovetops and a car dashboard in summer.

On treatment, solid opal is usually left alone, but the trade also sees smoke- and sugar-darkened stones, as well as doublets and triplets. This one is solid natural opal. Quote AG-000588 on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know about it. Independent testing is your choice.

Neighbouring weights are in the opal range, and our opal guide has more.

Order on Cash on Delivery and look before you pay. Karachi usually 1–2 working days, the rest of Pakistan 2–4, with 7 days for returns.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural opal with a weight of 1.05 Carat. Its price is Rs. 3,380 — roughly Rs. 3,219 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-000588 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 opal rates 5.5 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 opal 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 opal 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): Solid opal is usually untreated; some opal is smoke- or sugar-treated, and doublets/triplets exist — we sell solid natural opal. 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.