How would you use 8.65 carats of opal? That is the question to start with, because this Ethiopian fire opal is a big stone by any standard. For its size, the rate per carat is modest.

It is most striking as a pendant, where it hangs free and avoids knocks. In a ring it becomes a bold statement piece, and since opal is only 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, a protective bezel is a wise choice. We can discuss a custom silver ring setting on WhatsApp.

Gold tends to warm an opal; silver gives it a cooler backdrop. The photographs should help you choose, and if they do not, send us a message and we will help you think it through.

Here are the plain facts. It is natural, from Ethiopia, described as fire opal, and its reference is AG-000710. Solid opal is mostly sold as mined, though smoke or sugar treatments exist and doublets and triplets circulate in the market. This is a solid natural stone, and we will tell you what we know about this particular piece if you ask. Independent testing is your choice.

Compare it with others in the opal collection, and read our gemstone buying guide before deciding.

Open it at your door and pay only if it is right. Karachi deliveries usually take 1–2 working days, other cities 2–4, and you have 7 days to return it.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural ethiopian opal with a weight of 8.65 Carat. Its price is Rs. 15,000 — roughly Rs. 1,734 for each carat. Origin: Ethiopia. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-000710 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.

From six carats up a stone becomes the centre of attention. It wants a broader shank or a secure claw setting and suits an occasion ring, a signet or a centre pendant. Clean natural material of this size turns up far less often, and the per-carat rate reflects that.

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.