Opal in a man's ring is less common in Pakistan than aqeeq or neelam, and the reason is practical rather than aesthetic: it is a softer stone in a setting that takes more punishment. It can absolutely be done, and done well it looks like nothing else. It just has to be set and worn with the stone's nature in mind.

The stone

2.50 carats, which is 2.75 ratti. Shape: oval cabochon. Origin: Australia. Rs. 12,500, about Rs. 5,000 per carat, reference GS-000702.

Making an opal ring that survives

1. Bezel, always. A rim of 925 silver all the way around. Claws concentrate pressure on points of a stone that is 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, and they leave the edge exposed.
2. Low profile. The less the stone stands up, the fewer knocks it takes. A domed cabochon already sits proud; do not add height with the mount.
3. Moderate band width. 6 to 9 mm suits a 2.50 carat cabochon. A very wide shank makes a stone this size look lost.
4. Warn the setter. No heat, no ultrasonic bath, no pressure settings. A setter working quickly on a batch may use all three by habit.
5. Consider the right hand. Most people knock the hand they work with. An opal lasts longer on the other one.

Wearing it day to day

Take it off for wudu if you can — water itself is harmless, but soap, repeated wetting and drying are not kind to a stone that holds water. Remove it for gym work, driving long distances with a steering wheel, gardening and washing up. Put it on after cologne, not before. Clean it with a soft damp cloth; never an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. Do not leave it in a hot car or on a sunny windowsill — drying the stone out causes the fine surface cracks called crazing.

That sounds like a lot. In practice it becomes habit in a week, and the stone outlives the habit. Our guide to wearing opal covers it in more detail.

Why opal, then?

Because nothing else moves like it. A sapphire is the same colour from every angle; an opal changes as your hand turns, and it keeps doing it for a lifetime. October's birthstone, and a stone with a long association with clear sight and imagination — traditions we pass on as traditions rather than promises. Our opal guide sets out the background.

Solid opal and treatment

We sell solid natural opal, not doublets or triplets — check any opal edge-on for a straight glue line. Solid opal is usually untreated, though some is smoke- or sugar-treated to darken the background; this stone has not been tested and the specification says so. A certificate of authenticity comes on request and independent testing can be arranged.

Ordering

One piece only. Flat Rs. 500 delivery anywhere in Pakistan, insured and tracked, dispatched in one to two working days. Cash on Delivery, seven days to return it unused. Send your finger size on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure the stone and quote a mount separately.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural australian opal with a weight of 2.5 Carat. Its price is Rs. 12,500 — roughly Rs. 5,000 for each carat. Origin: Australia. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000702 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.

Whoever you buy australian opal 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 australian opal 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): Solid opal is usually untreated; some opal is smoke- or sugar-treated, and doublets/triplets exist — we sell solid natural opal. 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.