Swat produces emerald, and has done since the deposits in the valley were worked commercially from the 1950s. That is worth saying plainly, because a great deal of emerald sold here is brought in from elsewhere and the local material does not always get a fair hearing. This is a Swat stone, and at 1.50 carats it is the largest emerald in our collection.

This stone's numbers

1.50 carats, which is 1.65 ratti. Rs. 7,500, Rs. 5,000 per carat, reference GS-000302. Recorded shape: oval. Origin: Swat. One piece — the photograph is of the stone you would receive.

What it actually looks like

We measure our photographs rather than describe them from memory. Green is the leading colour channel across 95% of this stone, so it is genuinely green rather than a grey-green that only reads as green in a flattering light. Green leads the next strongest channel by 15 points, which places it in the soft to medium part of the range — this is a gentle, slightly cool green, not a deep one. Across the four emeralds we list that figure runs from 7 to 36, and this stone sits between.

It is cut as a polished oval cabochon rather than faceted, and it carries visible inclusions. Both of those things are normal for Swat material and neither is a defect to apologise for. Emerald is one of the few gems where inclusions are expected; the trade even has a word for the internal landscape, the jardin. A completely clean, evenly coloured emerald at a low price is the thing to be suspicious of, not this.

What Swat emerald is

1. The same mineral as any other emerald. Beryl coloured green by chromium or vanadium, 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale.
2. Usually smaller. The valley yields good colour in modest sizes far more often than in large clean crystals, which is why a 1.50 carat stone counts as large here.
3. Often included. Clarity is the usual trade-off for the colour.
4. Priced on its own merits. Ours run at a flat Rs. 5,000 per carat, so what you pay tracks the weight rather than a story about where it came from.

Treatment — what we know and what we do not

We have not had this stone tested, and the specification sheet says so rather than claiming anything better. You should assume what the trade assumes: most emeralds in the world are oiled, or filled with resin, to soften the look of the fine fissures that reach the surface. Light oiling is accepted practice everywhere; heavy filling is not, and it lowers the value. If this matters to you — and for emerald it reasonably might — independent laboratory testing can be arranged before dispatch. Ask us and we will organise it.

Looking after it

On the Mohs scale emerald rates 7.5 to 8, which sounds durable, but hardness is not the whole story: the fissures that make oiling necessary also make the stone easier to chip than its hardness suggests. Keep it away from ultrasonic and steam cleaners, hot water and harsh chemicals, all of which strip oil and reopen the look of those fissures. A soft damp cloth is all it needs. In a ring, a bezel or a protective setting is worth the extra money.

Reading further

The Swat emerald origin page covers the valley and its stones, and this comparison of emerald sources sets Swat material against the better-known ones. For buying, the emerald buying guide and the guide to identifying emeralds are the practical ones. The rest of the collection is on the emerald 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 before you order.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural emerald, known in Urdu as Zamurd, with a weight of 1.5 Carat. Its price is Rs. 7,500 — roughly Rs. 5,000 for each carat. Origin: Swat, Pakistan. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000302 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.