Buying a stone loose rather than ready-set is the sensible way round, and for a piece this size it is close to the only way. At 93.70 carats you are not going to find a ready-made ring that suits it; the setting has to be built to the stone. What you get for that extra step is control over the silver, the shank width and the way the stone is held.

The stone

93.70 carats, which is 102.97 ratti. Rs. 7,880, about Rs. 84 per carat, reference GS-000217. Recorded shape: oval. Recorded colour: colourless. Supplied unset, exactly as photographed.

Why buy loose

1. You see the whole stone. Nothing is hidden under a bezel or behind claws. Every face is open to inspection before you commit.
2. The setting fits the stone. A cabochon of this size needs a collet built around its own curve. Buying loose means the setter works to the stone rather than squeezing it into a stock mount.
3. You choose the metal. Dur-e-Najaf is customarily set in silver, but the choice of weight and finish is yours.
4. It costs less. You are paying for the stone, not for a ring you may not want.

What this stone looks like

Milky white, evenly coloured, polished as a smooth oval dome. We measured the photograph rather than guessing: the colour is neutral to within a few points across red, green and blue, so "white" is accurate. The brightness variation across the stone's face measures 10, against roughly 65 for a faceted see-through stone photographed the same way. In plain terms it is a quiet, evenly milky stone that glows rather than sparkles. It is translucent rather than transparent, which is normal for traditional Najafi quartz; if you are after something you can read print through, this is not it.

Getting it set

Any competent silversmith in Pakistan can mount a cabochon of this size, and most will do it in a few days. Two practical points worth raising with them: ask for a closed-back or partly closed-back bezel, which protects the girdle of a large stone, and ask them not to use heat near the stone while it is in place. Quartz tolerates ordinary wear well but does not enjoy a torch.

Treatment and care

Dur-e-Najaf is clear quartz and is usually untreated. Nothing has been heated, dyed or filled here. At 7 on the Mohs scale it is hard enough for a ring worn every day. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, and keep it out of an ultrasonic cleaner.

Reading up first

If this is your first Najafi stone, the buying guide is the place to start, and the price guide explains what the per-carat rate should look like. People often confuse this stone with its near namesake — the Dur-e-Najaf versus Moh-e-Najaf comparison sorts that out. The rest of the range is on the Dur-e-Najaf collection 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 93.7 Carat. Its price is Rs. 7,880 — roughly Rs. 84 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000217 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.