If you are planning a piece of jewellery around this stone, begin with the setting. It is a 3.3 carat natural black Ethiopian opal, which is a good size for a pendant that gets noticed. A ring is possible if the stone sits in a protective bezel, in silver or gold, so that the top is not exposed to knocks. For a custom silver ring setting, message us on WhatsApp and we can talk it through.

Because opal measures only 5.5 to 6.5 on Mohs, earrings and pendants avoid the daily wear that rings suffer. This is a point many first-time opal buyers miss.

Now the facts. The reference is GS-000720. The price is Rs. 15,000, or about Rs. 4,545 per carat, which is a higher rate than most opals in this batch; the dark body colour is part of that. Look at the photographs.

Opal is generally sold as it comes, though smoke or sugar treatment and doublet or triplet construction exist in the trade. Ours is solid natural opal, and independent lab testing is available if you want it. See more in the opal category.

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 gemstone buying guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural ethiopian opal with a weight of 3.3 Carat. Its price is Rs. 15,000 — roughly Rs. 4,545 for each carat. Origin: Ethiopia. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000720 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.