A 5.8 carat orange moonstone from Africa — 6.37 ratti — at Rs. 4,500, which is about Rs. 776 per carat. That is the highest per-carat rate in this collection, and it is worth explaining rather than hiding.

Why one moonstone costs more per carat than another

Four things move the rate, and weight is only one of them. The first is transparency: this stone is recorded as running from transparent to semi-translucent, and material that genuinely passes light is scarcer and dearer than the cloudy, semi-opaque moonstone that makes up most of the market. The second is the strength and evenness of the shimmer. The third is the cut — how well the dome has been shaped to the layering inside, which cannot be judged from weight at all. The fourth is simply what the rough cost.

Transparency, and what it does

In moonstone the body and the glow compete. A cloudy stone scatters light at the surface and the sheen sits on top like a film. A transparent one lets light travel into the body and the glow appears to float inside the stone, with visible depth behind it. The second is harder to find and much harder to photograph, which is why transparent moonstone tends to disappoint online and impress in the hand.

That applies doubly to a coloured stone. An orange body only reads as orange when light passes through it; photographed flat under studio lighting it can look far more neutral than it is. This is a stone to judge against a lamp rather than on a screen.

Size

Just under six carat is a practical ring size. The dome sits low enough for daily wear and the stone reads as a proper cabochon rather than an accent. For a mineral at 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, keeping the profile low is a real part of making a ring survive.

Origin and care

Recorded as an African stone. Clean it with warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth; no ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no bleach or ammonia. Moonstone has good cleavage, so a bezel setting that supports the girdle is a sensible precaution, and the piece should be stored away from harder stones.

Treatment has not been tested on this stone, and we record that plainly rather than calling it untreated. Dimensions and clarity are not recorded yet; ask and we will measure it for you.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural moonstone with a weight of 5.8 Carat. Its price is Rs. 4,500 — roughly Rs. 776 for each carat. Origin: Africa. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000424 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.

Between two and six carats is the range most people choose for a gents' ring or a noticeable pendant. Here colour drives the price more than size does, which is why two stones of near-identical weight can be priced very differently.

On the Mohs scale moonstone rates 6 to 6.5. That is middle-of-the-road hardness: comfortable in pendants and earrings, and in rings worn with some care. Store it apart from harder stones so it does not pick up scratches, and wipe it with a damp cloth rather than scrubbing.

Whoever you buy moonstone 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 moonstone 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): Moonstone 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.