At 2.65 carats this is one of the smaller opals we carry, and small suits opal rather well. The colour is concentrated into less surface, a modest stone sits comfortably in a slim setting, and the whole piece stays light enough to wear without thinking about it — which, given how soft opal is, is partly the point.

The stone

2.65 carats, which is 2.91 ratti. Rs. 6,630, about Rs. 2,502 per carat, reference GS-000719. Recorded shape: oval. Origin: Ethiopia. One piece, as photographed.

What it looks like

Measured from the photograph, play of colour covers about 11% of this stone's face — above average for our Ethiopian stock — against a body brightness of 198 out of 255. Greens lead into warm oranges. For a stone of this size, that is generous coverage, and it is why the rate per carat sits above our larger pieces: you are paying for colour density rather than weight.

Ways to wear it

• A slim bezel ring. The classic. Low-set, protected, and the stone carries the design on its own.
• A pendant. Kinder to the stone than any ring, since it is not knocked against desks and door handles.
• Earrings, as a pair. Possible, though you would want a matching stone and opal rarely matches exactly — part of its character.
• Not a daily-wear ring on your dominant hand. At 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, opal will not forgive that for long.

The water question

Ethiopian opal is usually hydrophane, meaning it absorbs water and can turn clear or cloudy with its play of colour faded until it dries again. The colour returns, and no harm is done, but it catches people unprepared. Dry it slowly at room temperature, never with heat. Take it off before washing, swimming or wudu, and keep it well away from perfume, hand cream and oils, which soak into a porous stone and do not evaporate the way water does. Perfume first, jewellery second.

Treatment

This stone has not been tested, and we record that rather than implying otherwise. Smoke treatment is used to darken pale bodies and imitate scarcer dark-bodied opal; a bright body like this one is not the usual result of it, but the test has not been done. Independent laboratory testing can be arranged on request.

Care

Soft dry cloth. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no hot water. Keep it apart from harder stones in a box, since almost everything else will scratch it.

More

Our guide to wearing opal is worth a read, the buying guide covers choosing a stone, and the Ethiopian opal page has the rest of the range.

Ordering

One piece only. Flat Rs. 500 delivery anywhere in Pakistan by insured, tracked courier, dispatched in one to two working days. Cash on Delivery — open the parcel and look at the stone before you pay — and seven days to return it unused. Dimensions have not been recorded; message us on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure it.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural ethiopian opal with a weight of 2.65 Carat. Its price is Rs. 6,630 — roughly Rs. 2,502 for each carat. Origin: Ethiopia. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000719 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 ethiopian 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 ethiopian 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.