By some distance, this is the biggest opal in this batch: 25.65 carats of natural Ethiopian fire opal, reference AG-000730. Spread over that weight, the rate per carat is low, which reflects size more than anything else.

A stone like this is more of a display or collector's piece than something for daily wear. If you want it in jewellery, a large pendant is the realistic option; a ring would be heavy and exposed. Opal measures only 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, so a protective gold or silver setting would also guard it. We can discuss a custom silver setting on WhatsApp, and there is no need to settle on a design now.

Because it is so large, take your time with the photographs. Look over the whole surface for cracks or dull areas, and ask us for close-ups of anything you want to check. A big stone simply has more surface to inspect.

As ever, solid opal is usually left as mined, but smoke or sugar treatment happens, and doublets or triplets exist. We sell solid natural opal and will tell you what we know about this piece. Independent lab testing is up to you.

Other sizes are in the opal collection, and our gemstone buying guide is worth reading first.

With Cash on Delivery you can examine it properly at your door before paying. Karachi usually 1–2 working days, other cities 2–4, and 7 days to return.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural ethiopian opal with a weight of 25.65 Carat. Its price is Rs. 30,750 — roughly Rs. 1,199 for each carat. Origin: Ethiopia. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-000730 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.

Whoever you buy ethiopian 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 ethiopian 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.