Afghanistan has been one of the great sources of fine beryl for a very long time, and most of the aquamarine that reaches Pakistani dealers comes across that border rather than by sea. The deposits in the north-east of the country, worked in the same pegmatite belt that produces the region's tourmaline and kunzite, yield crystals that are often large and clean.

The stone

24.90 carats, which is 27.36 ratti. Origin: Afghanistan. Rs. 21,000, about Rs. 843 per carat, reference GS-000283. One piece only.

What Afghan material is known for

• Size. The pegmatites there produce large crystals, so stones above twenty carats are routine rather than exceptional.
• Clarity. Much of it is eye-clean, which is what you should expect from aquamarine rather than pay a premium for.
• A clean, slightly steely blue. Less green than some material, which means less heating is needed to reach a pure blue.
• A short supply chain. It reaches Peshawar and Lahore directly, which is part of why aquamarine is better value here than in most markets.

Being straight about origin

Origin is the hardest claim to verify in any coloured stone, and no routine laboratory report will name a country for aquamarine. What is recorded for this piece is Afghanistan, and that is what our records say rather than a laboratory finding. What you can verify is the stone itself: a certificate of authenticity on request, independent testing if you want it, payment only after the parcel is open, and seven days to send it back. That is a better guarantee than a confident sentence on a product page.

Does origin change the price?

Less than most people expect for this gem. With aquamarine, clarity and colour saturation drive the rate far harder than the name of a mine does. You can see that across our listings: the spread from under Rs. 400 to over Rs. 2,500 per carat tracks quality, not geography. Our aquamarine price guide breaks it down.

Treatment

Aquamarine is commonly heated to remove green tones and leave a purer blue — standard, stable and accepted. We have not tested this stone, so the specification says so rather than claiming it is unheated.

What suits 24.90 carats?

A substantial pendant, or a large ring on a broad band. Ask for an open-back setting: light entering from behind is what lifts a pale blue, and a closed back makes the same stone look flat. White metal keeps the blue clean; yellow gold warms it towards green. Shape and measurements have not been recorded — ask on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure it.

Durability

Beryl is 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. Hard enough for daily wear, though a sharp knock on an edge can chip it, so a bezel is safer than tall claws. Warm soapy water and a soft brush.

Ordering

Flat Rs. 500 delivery anywhere in Pakistan, insured and tracked, dispatched in one to two working days. Cash on Delivery, seven days to return it unused. More in the aquamarine collection.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural aquamarine, known in Urdu as Beruj, with a weight of 24.9 Carat. Its price is Rs. 21,000 — roughly Rs. 843 for each carat. Origin: Afghanistan. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000283 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.

On the Mohs scale aquamarine rates 7.5 to 8. 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 aquamarine 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 aquamarine 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): Aquamarine is commonly heated to remove green tones and leave a purer blue. 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.