One carat is the size people picture when they think of an emerald ring. It is big enough to be the centre of the piece and small enough to sit comfortably on a finger without needing a setting built like armour. This is a Swat stone at exactly that weight.

The stone

1.00 carat, which is 1.10 ratti. Rs. 5,000, Rs. 5,000 per carat, reference GS-000301. Recorded shape: oval. Origin: Swat. A polished cabochon, not faceted. One piece.

Being straight about the colour

This is the palest emerald in our collection and we would rather you heard it from us than felt misled when the parcel arrives. Measured from the photograph, green leads in 82% of the stone, but it leads the next strongest channel by only 7 points — against 36 on our deepest-coloured stone. In plain terms it is a soft, light green with a warm yellowish cast rather than a rich one, and there are visible inclusions through the body.

What you are buying at this price is a genuine one carat emerald from Swat, not a deep green one. If depth of colour is what you are after, our deepest-coloured emerald is a better use of your money at almost the same price. If you want a quiet stone that reads as emerald without shouting, this one does that honestly.

Setting a one carat emerald in a ring

1. Protect the edges. Emerald chips more easily than its Mohs rating of 7.5 to 8 suggests, because of the fine fissures that run through most rough. A bezel beats claws.
2. A cabochon sits low. There is no pointed pavilion underneath, so the ring catches on less and the stone is better shielded.
3. Set it cold. The stone should go into a finished mount, never be left in place while a torch is near it. Heat drives off oil.
4. Silver or gold both work. A warm metal lifts a light green; a white metal keeps it cool. With a stone this pale, gold tends to flatter it.

Treatment

Not tested, and we say so on the specification sheet rather than claiming otherwise. The sensible assumption for any emerald is that it has been oiled or resin-filled to reduce the look of surface-reaching fissures; light oiling is accepted practice across the trade. Independent laboratory testing can be arranged before dispatch if you would like it — tell us before you order, as it adds a few days.

Care, which matters more for emerald than most stones

Keep it out of ultrasonic and steam cleaners and away from hot water and harsh chemicals. All of those strip oil out of the fissures and make them more visible. A soft damp cloth is enough. Take the ring off for anything rough — emerald does not enjoy being knocked, whatever the hardness scale says.

More on emerald

Our guide to wearing emerald covers the customary practice, the buying guide covers what to look at, and the real or fake guide covers the checks you can do yourself. The Swat emerald page explains where these stones come from, and the collection page has the rest.

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 emerald, known in Urdu as Zamurd, with a weight of 1 Carat. Its price is Rs. 5,000 — roughly Rs. 5,000 for each carat. Origin: Swat, Pakistan. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000301 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.

Under two carats, a stone like this sits neatly in a slim ring, a stud or a delicate pendant and does not snag on sleeves. It is also where many first-time buyers begin when a stone is recommended for astrological reasons, because the total cost stays modest.

On the Mohs scale emerald rates 7.5 to 8. 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 emerald 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 emerald 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): Almost all emerald (zamurd) is oiled or resin-filled to reduce the visibility of natural fissures. 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.