Here is what to know about this 12.4 carat hematite before and after it reaches your door. It is priced at Rs. 1,880, about Rs. 152 per carat, and listed under reference GS-HE-0004.

• Natural hematite, known in Urdu as Hadeed, weighing 12.4 carats.
• Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6.5, so avoid rough contact with harder stones in a drawer.
• Magnetic hematine is a man-made imitation; ask us what we know about this exact stone and we will tell you.
• On delivery, check the surface for chips along the edges and look at the polish in daylight.
• Feel the weight: hematite is dense and should feel heavier than glass of the same size.

Cash on Delivery means you can open the parcel and inspect the stone before you pay. If anything is wrong, you have seven days to return it, and independent lab testing can be arranged on request. More options sit in the hematite category.

Before you choose, read our hematite guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural hematite with a weight of 12.4 Carat. Its price is Rs. 1,880 — roughly Rs. 152 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-HE-0004 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 hematite rates 5.5 to 6.5. That makes it soft for a gemstone, better suited to pendants, earrings and rings for special occasions than to a daily ring. Keep it away from perfume, cleaning products, steam and ultrasonic cleaners, and polish it with a dry, soft cloth after wear.

Whoever you buy hematite 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 hematite 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): Natural hematite is usually untreated (beware magnetic "hematine", a man-made imitation). 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.