How you wear this 1.60 carat opal matters more than with most gems. It measures 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, clearly softer than ruby, sapphire or topaz, so a ring on a working hand will collect scratches. Pendants, earrings and brooches avoid most of that trouble.

The stone itself is solid natural opal, reference AG-000580. We do not sell doublets or triplets, though they are common in the wider market, and smoke or sugar treatment is known in opal generally. Send us a WhatsApp message and we will share whatever we know about this particular piece.

Looking after it is not complicated. Wipe it with a soft cloth that is only slightly damp, then let it dry out of direct sun. Because opal holds water, steam, hot water and ultrasonic machines are all a bad idea. Keep perfume and household cleaners off it. Store it alone in a soft pouch so harder stones cannot rub against it, and do not leave it sitting in a hot drawer or a parked car.

Our gemstone care guide has more, and the opal category shows similar stones.

Open the parcel in front of the rider and pay only once you are happy. Delivery is usually 1–2 working days in Karachi, 2–4 elsewhere, and you have 7 days to return it.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural opal with a weight of 1.6 Carat. Its price is Rs. 3,750 — roughly Rs. 2,344 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-000580 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.