A small opal still deserves a proper look. This 1.20 carat stone is solid natural opal, and these few checks will tell you most of what you need to know when it is in your hand.

• Message us on WhatsApp quoting AG-000579 for photos, video or questions.
• It is solid opal, not a doublet or triplet. Look at the sides when it arrives; a glued stone often shows a straight join line.
• Its hardness is 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, softer than most stones that go into rings.
• Look at it in daylight, then under a lamp, tilting it so the colour moves.
• Run a fingertip gently over the face to feel for chips or rough spots.

Some opal in the trade is smoked or sugar-treated, so ask what we know about this one and we will tell you straight. A stone of this size looks best in a bezel-set pendant where it is safe from knocks, heat and household chemicals.

Keep it in its own soft pouch, away from harder gems and warm places. Other small stones are in the opal category, and our care guide explains cleaning in more detail.

You can run through every one of those checks before paying, because it comes Cash on Delivery. Karachi usually receives in 1–2 working days, other cities in 2–4, with a 7-day return window.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural opal with a weight of 1.2 Carat. Its price is Rs. 3,380 — roughly Rs. 2,817 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-000579 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.