"Is an 11 carat purple sapphire too big to wear?" We hear that a lot. Here are the common questions, answered for this Afghan stone.

How big is 11.24 carats, really?

Large for a sapphire, but comfortable in a pendant or a ring with a low, protective mount. Weight alone does not set the value; colour and clarity matter just as much.

Will it scratch or chip?

Very unlikely. Sapphire rates 9 on the Mohs scale, so ordinary wear barely touches it. A hard knock on an exposed corner is still worth avoiding.

Has it been heated?

Many purple sapphires are heated to deepen or even out their colour, and ones that skip the process turn up less often. We cannot answer from the listing alone. Message us on WhatsApp with AG-000505 and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone. Independent lab testing is your option.

Where can I compare?

The wider purple sapphire range shows other shades and sizes.

Pay by Cash on Delivery: open the parcel in front of the rider, look at the stone, then pay. Karachi orders usually arrive in 1–2 working days, the rest of Pakistan in 2–4, and you have 7 days to return it unused. Our purple sapphire guide explains more.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural purple sapphire with a weight of 11.24 Carat. Its price is Rs. 10,130 — roughly Rs. 901 for each carat. Origin: Afghanistan. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-000505 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.

On the Mohs scale purple sapphire rates 9. Few materials will scratch it, so it copes well with everyday ring wear. A soak in warm water with a drop of mild soap and a soft brush keeps it bright; skip the ultrasonic cleaner if inclusions reach the surface.

Whoever you buy purple sapphire 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 purple sapphire 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): Purple sapphire is often heated to refine its colour; unheated stones are less common. 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.