Start with the money, because a 2.5 carat sapphire at Rs. 12,000 invites the sum straight away: that is about Rs. 4,800 per carat. For a blue neelam from Kashmir this is the figure to hold against any other stone you are considering, rather than the total price alone.

At 2.5 carats the stone is on the modest side for sapphire, which is exactly why many buyers choose it. It reads as a deliberate, refined ring stone rather than a showpiece, and the weight keeps the finished piece light enough for all-day wear.

Colour and setting

The colour is blue. Because sapphire rates 9 on the Mohs scale, it holds a polish for years and will tolerate prong or bezel settings equally well. A silver ring is a common choice in Pakistan; if you want one made, talk to us on WhatsApp about a custom setting.

Heating is normal for sapphire and we will tell you what we know about this stone when you ask. Reference GS-000826 gets us straight to it. Compare nearby weights in our sapphire listings before you decide.

Order with Cash on Delivery anywhere in Pakistan: open the parcel, check the stone, then pay. If it is not right for you, you have 7 days to return it. Before you choose, read our sapphire guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural sapphire, known in Urdu as Neelam, with a weight of 2.5 Carat. Its price is Rs. 12,000 — roughly Rs. 4,800 for each carat. Origin: Kashmir. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000826 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.

Between two and six carats is the range most people choose for a gents' ring or a noticeable pendant. Here colour drives the price more than size does, which is why two stones of near-identical weight can be priced very differently.

On the Mohs scale 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 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 sapphire 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): Most sapphire on the market is heated to improve colour and clarity; unheated stones exist and cost more. 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.