Dur-e-Najaf is worn by men and women alike, and has been for a very long time. The difference is usually in the setting rather than the stone: a slimmer shank, a lighter bezel, or the stone hung as a pendant rather than set in a ring. This piece suits all three, which is why we have listed it this way.

The stone

26.90 carats, which is 29.56 ratti. Rs. 3,380, about Rs. 126 per carat, reference GS-000211. Recorded shape: drop. Recorded colour: colourless. One piece, as photographed.

Why this one works

1. The shape. A drop is cut longer than it is wide. It reads as elegant rather than heavy, and it is the natural shape for a pendant, where the narrow end takes the bail.
2. The size. At 26.90 carats it has presence without the bulk of our seventy- and ninety-carat pieces. On a ring it sits along the finger rather than across it.
3. The colour. Soft milky white goes with everything, in silver or in white metal, and does not fight whatever else is being worn.
4. The price. Rs. 3,380 is a modest outlay for a stone of this size, because quartz is abundant and honestly priced.

What it looks like

We measured the photograph rather than relying on impression. The body colour is neutral white, the red, green and blue values sitting within a few points of one another. The brightness variation across the face measures 11, compared with about 65 for a faceted see-through gem under the same light. So the stone is translucent rather than transparent: it takes light in and glows, with a soft bright edge where the dome thins, but you cannot look through it. That is the traditional appearance of Najafi quartz and the reason it is cut as a cabochon.

Treatment and care

Dur-e-Najaf is clear quartz and is usually untreated — no heat, no dye, no filling. Hardness 7 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage, so it is a sensible stone for everyday wear. Warm soapy water and a soft brush; avoid ultrasonic cleaners. If you wear it as a pendant it will lead an easier life than a ring and need cleaning less often.

Setting suggestions

For a pendant, a plain silver bezel with a simple bail lets the stone do the talking, and the drop shape hangs straight without needing a counterweight. For a ring, a bezel set lengthwise along the finger flatters the shape; claws tend to look fussy on a cabochon.

More reading

The guide to wearing Dur-e-Najaf covers the customary practice, the Dur-e-Najaf page gives the background, and the collection page has the rest of the stones. For other stones worn in the same tradition, see our Islamic gemstones section and the Muharram stones page.

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. Dimensions have not been recorded; message us on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure it.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural dur-e-najaf with a weight of 26.9 Carat. Its price is Rs. 3,380 — roughly Rs. 126 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000211 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.