Three carats and a bit, from Ethiopia, and surprisingly hard to photograph. That is the honest first impression of this opal: its play-of-colour moves, so a still picture only ever shows one moment of it. Reference GS-000737 weighs 3.2 carats and is priced at Rs. 9,000, about Rs. 2,813 per carat.

Opal is not like ruby or sapphire. Its flashes come from tiny structures inside the stone that bend light, and every piece behaves a little differently. Ethiopian material is well regarded for bright colour, so this one is worth looking at in sunlight, under a shop bulb and by a window.

It rates 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, so it asks for gentler treatment than a harder gem. Keep it away from sharp knocks, hot water and household chemicals. A soft pouch of its own is better than a jewellery box shared with sapphires.

As with all opal, ask the question: some stones are darkened by smoke or sugar, and others are doublets or triplets rather than solid. We sell solid natural opal and will tell you what we know about this stone. A lab test is available on request, and you can inspect the parcel before paying on delivery. More choices sit in the opal category.

Pay Cash on Delivery once you have opened the parcel and seen the stone yourself, anywhere in Pakistan, with 7 days to return it if you change your mind. Before you choose, read our gemstone buying guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural ethiopian opal with a weight of 3.2 Carat. Its price is Rs. 9,000 — roughly Rs. 2,813 for each carat. Origin: Ethiopia. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000737 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.