Nearly every question we get about Dur-e-Najaf is really a question about quartz, so it is worth starting there. Dur-e-Najaf is quartz: silicon dioxide, the commonest crystal-forming mineral on earth, the same species as amethyst, citrine, rose quartz and rock crystal. What makes a piece of quartz a Dur-e-Najaf is its colour and its tradition, not its chemistry.

The stone

29.50 carats, which is 32.42 ratti. Rs. 5,250, about Rs. 178 per carat, reference GS-00060. Recorded shape: oval. Recorded colour: colourless. One piece.

What quartz gives you

• Hardness 7. Above the hardness of ordinary airborne dust, which is the practical threshold for a stone that will not scuff from simply being worn.
• No cleavage. It does not have planes of weakness. A hard knock may chip an edge, but it will not split the stone in two.
• Chemical indifference. Sweat, soap, perfume and chlorinated water leave it alone.
• An honest price. Quartz is abundant, so a Najafi stone costs tens to a few hundred rupees per carat. Anyone quoting thousands per carat for white quartz is selling you a story.

What this one looks like

Evenly milky white, polished as a smooth oval dome. We measured the photograph: the colour is neutral to within a few points across the red, green and blue channels, so the white has no cast to it. The brightness variation across the face measures 10, against roughly 65 for a faceted see-through gem photographed the same way. The stone is therefore translucent rather than transparent — it glows with light rather than letting you see through it, which is why it is domed rather than faceted. Faceting only pays off in a stone that can return light from its back facets, and milky quartz cannot.

Treatment

Dur-e-Najaf is clear quartz and is usually untreated. Nothing on this stone has been heated, dyed, irradiated or filled. We say "usually" because we have not had it laboratory-tested, and we would rather tell you that than print a certificate we do not hold. Our authenticity page sets out exactly what we do and do not verify.

In the wider family

If you like the look of quartz, it is worth seeing what else the mineral does. The same species gives you the purples of our amethyst collection and the yellows of our citrine collection — same chemistry, different trace elements. Within the Najafi family, the Dur-e-Najaf versus Moh-e-Najaf comparison clears up the commonest confusion, and the Urdu and English name guide lists what each stone is called.

Care

Warm soapy water and a soft brush. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, and no sudden temperature changes.

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 before you order.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural dur-e-najaf with a weight of 29.5 Carat. Its price is Rs. 5,250 — roughly Rs. 178 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-00060 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.