If you intend to wear this opal, start with how tough it is. It sits at 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, which is softer than quartz, sapphire or garnet. Everyday dust contains quartz, so a ring worn constantly will slowly dull and scratch an opal. A pendant or a pair of earrings avoids most of that risk, and a ring is fine for occasions or when you are careful.

The stone itself is a 3.4 carat natural Ethiopian fire opal, SKU GS-000709, at Rs. 28,130, or about Rs. 8,274 per carat. The listing mentions fire opal, so look for warm colour and play of light as you move it. Ask for photographs from any angle you want to see.

Treatment deserves a question. Solid opal generally arrives as mined, while smoke or sugar treatment sometimes happens and doublets or triplets are common in cheaper stock. We sell solid natural opal; ask us about this stone and we will tell you what we know.

Cleaning and storage

Use lukewarm water and a soft cloth only. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam and sudden temperature changes. Store it wrapped on its own, away from harder stones. More options sit in our opal range.

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 3.4 Carat. Its price is Rs. 28,130 — roughly Rs. 8,274 for each carat. Origin: Ethiopia. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000709 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.