Jamunia is the name this stone has carried in Pakistani bazaars far longer than "amethyst" has. It comes from jamun, the dark purple fruit, and it describes the colour exactly. If you grew up hearing the word, you already know what you are looking for: a purple with depth to it, the colour of the fruit rather than of a plastic bead.

What is in front of you

6.45 carats, or 7.09 ratti. The recorded body colour is violet, which in trade language means the purple leans slightly towards blue rather than red. The price is Rs. 4,500 — about Rs. 698 per carat — under reference GS-000253. Shape, measurements and cut style have not been recorded for this piece; ask and we will measure it.

Jamunia, amethyst, katela: the names you will hear

• Jamunia (جامونیا) — the common Urdu trade name, used across Pakistan.
• Amethyst — the gemmological name, from the Greek for "not drunk"; the stone has been linked with sobriety since antiquity.
• Katela — used in parts of the subcontinent, more often for the paler material.
• Quartz-e-banafsha — occasionally heard, from the Persian for violet.

They are all the same mineral: quartz coloured purple by traces of iron and natural irradiation. Our Urdu and English gemstone name list covers the rest of the stones by both names.

Violet or purple — does it matter for price?

A little. The most prized amethyst is a strong reddish purple with flashes of red under warm light. Violet-leaning stones like this one are quieter and generally cost less per carat, which is part of why this piece sits at under Rs. 700 a carat. Whether that is a drawback is a matter of taste: violet sits better against white metal and cooler skin tones, and it does not fight a blue stone set beside it in the same piece.

What do people in Pakistan wear Jamunia for?

In Vedic tradition amethyst is associated with Saturn and is worn for calm, patience and clear thinking, usually in silver and often on the middle finger. In the Islamic world it has a long history simply as a stone for a man's ring. We list these as beliefs, not as promises — a stone is a stone, and we will not tell you it will change your fortunes. If the traditional side is what you are buying for, our gemstones by rashi guide sets it out properly.

How do I know it is original?

The honest answer is that you check, and we make checking easy. Every stone is photographed as it is, you pay only after the parcel is open, a certificate of authenticity comes on request, and independent laboratory testing can be arranged. We have not tested this stone for heat treatment, so our sheet says so rather than claiming it is untreated.

Care and delivery

Amethyst is 7 on the Mohs scale — fine for regular wear, but keep it out of long direct sunlight, which can pale the colour over years, and clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Delivery is a flat Rs. 500 anywhere in Pakistan, insured and tracked, dispatched in one to two working days, Cash on Delivery, seven days to return it unused. See more in the Jamunia collection.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural amethyst, known in Urdu as Jamunia, with a weight of 6.45 Carat. Its price is Rs. 4,500 — roughly Rs. 698 for each carat. Origin: Iran. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000253 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 amethyst rates 7. It handles daily wear, but a hard knock can still nick an exposed corner, so a protective setting is a sensible choice. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, and keep it away from abrasive cleaners and high heat.

Whoever you buy amethyst 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 amethyst for those three points before it is listed, a certificate is available on request, 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. Certificate available on request. As general background (not a statement about this stone): Amethyst is usually untreated, though some stones are heated to lighten the colour. 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.