Certification is worth being precise about, because it is one of the most loosely used words in the Pakistani gem trade. A certificate is a report from an independent laboratory stating what a stone is. It is not a shop receipt, not a printed card from the seller, and not a guarantee of value. For this stone, independent testing can be arranged before dispatch if you want it — ask us and we will organise it and share the report with you.

The stone

16.45 carats, which is 18.08 ratti. Rs. 3,000, about Rs. 182 per carat, reference GS-000213. Recorded shape: oval. Recorded colour: colourless. One piece, as photographed.

What a report on this stone would say

1. Species: quartz. That is the whole claim being made. Dur-e-Najaf is a trade name for white to colourless quartz, and a laboratory identifies the mineral, not the trade name.
2. Treatment: none detected. Dur-e-Najaf is clear quartz and is usually untreated, and a report would confirm the absence of heat, dye or filling.
3. Weight and measurements. Taken on the laboratory's own scale and gauge.
4. What it would not say. It would not value the stone, grade its beauty, or confirm where it came from. Laboratories are careful about origin and will usually decline to state it for quartz.

Is it worth certifying a quartz?

Honestly, for a stone at this price, often not — the report can cost a meaningful fraction of the stone. Certification earns its keep on expensive material where a misidentification would be costly. Where it does make sense for Najafi quartz is if you are buying it as a gift, if you want a record for your own peace of mind, or if you have been burned before by glass sold under this name. We will arrange it either way; we would rather you knew the trade-off. Our authenticity page explains exactly what we verify ourselves and what we do not.

What you can check yourself, free

Glass is the usual substitute. Hold the stone to your lip: quartz stays cold for several seconds, glass warms almost at once. Look through a loupe for round bubbles, which mean glass — natural quartz carries angular veils and feathers instead. Our real or fake guide goes through these in detail, and the general guide to real and fake stones covers the wider problem.

What it looks like

Evenly milky white. Measured from the photograph, the red, green and blue values sit within a few points of each other, so the white is neutral. Brightness variation across the dome measures 11, against about 65 for a faceted see-through gem photographed the same way — the stone is translucent rather than transparent, glowing with light rather than letting you see through it. Hardness 7 on the Mohs scale. Warm soapy water and a soft brush; no ultrasonic cleaner.

Ordering

One piece only. Flat Rs. 500 delivery anywhere in Pakistan by insured, tracked courier, dispatched in one to two working days. Cash on Delivery — open the parcel and look at the stone before you pay — and seven days to return it unused. If you want laboratory testing first, tell us before you order, as it adds a few days. Dimensions have not been recorded; message us on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural dur-e-najaf with a weight of 16.45 Carat. Its price is Rs. 3,000 — roughly Rs. 182 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000213 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 dur-e-najaf 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 dur-e-najaf 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 dur-e-najaf 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): Dur-e-Najaf (clear quartz) 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.