A steel knife blade sits at about 5.5 on the Mohs scale, window glass is similar, and a speck of household dust, mostly quartz, is harder still. Opal measures 5.5 to 6.5. In plain words, this 1.90 carat stone can be scratched by the ordinary grit of daily life, and that should guide how you wear it.

In a pendant, that is hardly a concern, because the stone hangs away from most contact. For a ring, pick a setting with a raised rim so the opal sits a little below the metal edge, and take the ring off for cooking, gardening and the gym.

About the stone

It is a natural fire opal with play of colour, reference AG-000600. Solid opal is normally sold natural, but some stones are darkened and some are doublets or triplets. Ours is solid natural opal, and we will tell you what we know about this particular piece. Independent testing is your choice.

Cleaning and storage

Use a soft damp cloth; never an ultrasonic cleaner or steam. Keep it in its own soft pouch, away from heat and from harder gems that could scratch it. Our gemstone care guide goes into more detail, and there are other options in the opal range.

Order on Cash on Delivery, open it, and pay only if it is right. Karachi typically 1–2 working days, other cities 2–4, with 7 days for returns.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural opal with a weight of 1.9 Carat. Its price is Rs. 4,500 — roughly Rs. 2,368 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-000600 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.