Twenty carats and more is large for any coloured stone, and for nephrite it means a piece you will certainly notice on the hand. The 20.75 carat stone here is a substantial size, mounted most naturally as a gents' ring or a heavy pendant, where its weight is balanced by a wide silver setting.

What to look for in a large nephrite

Bigger stones show flaws more easily, so inspect for cracks, uneven colour and a polish that looks overly shiny, as that can hint at wax. Nephrite is tough, with a Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5, but a long crack through a big stone is a real weakness.

This stone

It is natural nephrite, known in Urdu as Sang-e-Yashab, priced at Rs. 9,380, about Rs. 452 per carat. Reference GS-NE-0013. Some nephrite is dyed or waxed, so write to us on WhatsApp for what we know about this exact one. See the nephrite category for other pieces.

Order with Cash on Delivery anywhere in Pakistan: open the parcel, check the stone, then pay. If it is not right for you, you have 7 days to return it. Before you choose, read our nephrite guide.

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.