A 20.75 carat nephrite jade — 22.80 ratti — at Rs. 9,380, about Rs. 452 per carat.

The darkest stone in this collection, measured

Dark green is a description people use loosely, so here is the figure: this stone measures 42 out of 255 for brightness, against 84 for the lightest stone in the same category. It is the deepest-toned of the thirteen by a clear margin, and at 94% green coverage it is also among the most consistently coloured — the tone runs right through rather than pooling in patches.

In nephrite, depth of colour comes from iron substituting into the actinolite-tremolite structure. More iron, darker and greener; less iron, paler and creamier. A stone this dark sits at the iron-rich end of the series, which is why the colour reads as forest or spinach green rather than apple.

What dark nephrite does in wear

Darker stones read as more formal and hold their colour under poor light, where a pale green can look washed out or grey indoors. The trade-off is translucency: light travels less far into a dark body, so the stone reads more as solid colour than as glow. If you want depth and presence rather than luminosity, this is the end of the range to shop in.

Nephrite toughness

Nephrite is 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale — softer than quartz — but hardness is not the useful number here. Its microscopic fibres interlock like matted felt, giving it a resistance to chipping and fracture that exceeds almost every other natural stone, including far harder ones. It can be scratched; it is very difficult to break.

Rate and care

At Rs. 452 per carat this sits in the normal band for this category, roughly Rs. 442 to Rs. 457 across all thirteen stones. Clean with warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth; no ultrasonic cleaner and no steam.

Treatment has not been tested on this piece, so we say so rather than describing it as untreated. No documented origin is held. Dimensions and clarity are not recorded yet; ask and we will measure.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural nephrite with a weight of 20.75 Carat. Its price is Rs. 9,380 — roughly Rs. 452 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-NE-0013 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 nephrite 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 nephrite 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 nephrite 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): Nephrite is usually untreated, though some is dyed or waxed. 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.