A pendant is the easiest piece of gemstone jewellery to get right, and for a stone of this weight it is also the most practical. There is no finger size to measure, no resizing later, and a pendant takes a fraction of the knocks a ring does.

The stone

25.80 carats, which is 28.35 ratti. Shape: drop — recorded for this individual stone. Origin: Madagascar. Rs. 5,780, about Rs. 224 per carat, reference GS-000293.

What it looks like

A domed drop cabochon with a dark, near-black body, strong red markings concentrated across the upper half and fine white veining running through the darker areas. The polish is high and even. Photographed as it is, with no colour correction.

Why a drop is made for this job

• It has a natural top. The narrow end takes the bail, so the stone hangs correctly without a workaround.
• The broad end catches light. As you move, the widest part swings into the light, which shows the red markings at their best.
• It is awkward elsewhere. In a ring a point snags; in earrings it needs a matched partner, and matching a patterned stone is genuinely difficult.
• The weight suits a chain. At 25.80 carats it needs a reasonably substantial chain rather than a fine one — tell your jeweller.

Specifying the pendant

A bezel with an integrated bail is the cleanest and most secure option — the rim protects the stone's edge and the bail is part of the mount rather than soldered on afterwards. A closed back is standard for an opaque stone and adds strength. 925 silver keeps the focus on the markings; yellow gold warms the red. A 16 to 18 inch chain sits at the collarbone and suits a single stone of this size.

Measurements

Length and width have not been recorded for this piece. On a drop these matter more than on most shapes, because the bail and the outline have to work together, so ask us on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure it before your jeweller starts.

Madagascar material

Origin for this stone is recorded as Madagascar. Origin is the hardest claim to verify in any gemstone and no routine laboratory report names a country for this material, so take that as what our records state rather than a test result. What you can verify is the stone itself — it is photographed as it is, a certificate of authenticity comes on request, you pay the rider only after the parcel is open, and you have seven days to send it back.

Treatment and care

Bloodstone is usually untreated; we have not tested this piece, so the specification says so. At 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale it wears well, and a pendant leads an easier life than a ring. Warm soapy water and a soft brush; no bleach and no ultrasonic cleaner. Full routine in our bloodstone care guide.

Ordering

One piece only. 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 bloodstone collection.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural bloodstone with a weight of 25.8 Carat. Its price is Rs. 5,780 — roughly Rs. 224 for each carat. Origin: Madagascar. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000293 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 bloodstone rates 6.5 to 7. That is middle-of-the-road hardness: comfortable in pendants and earrings, and in rings worn with some care. Store it apart from harder stones so it does not pick up scratches, and wipe it with a damp cloth rather than scrubbing.

Whoever you buy bloodstone 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 bloodstone 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): Bloodstone is usually untreated. 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.