Before you buy this stone, run through what to look at when the parcel arrives. It is a natural 3.5 carat Ethiopian fire opal, reference GS-000708, offered at Rs. 28,880 (about Rs. 8,251 per carat). Because we deliver Cash on Delivery, you can open the parcel and inspect it before paying.

• Tilt it slowly under daylight and then a lamp; the colours shown in the listing photographs should appear again.
• Check the surface for scratches or dull patches, as opal at Mohs 5.5 to 6.5 marks more easily than most gems.
• Look through the stone for obvious fractures, particularly around the edges.
• Remember that doublets and triplets exist in the market; this is a solid natural opal and you can ask us for more on it.
• Keep the box and wrapping, since returns are accepted within 7 days when the stone is unused and in its original condition.

Treatment of opal is occasionally smoke or sugar based, though solid stones are mostly left as they were mined. Message us on WhatsApp for what we know about this exact piece, or see more in our opal collection.

Before you choose, read our gemstone buying guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural ethiopian opal with a weight of 3.5 Carat. Its price is Rs. 28,880 — roughly Rs. 8,251 for each carat. Origin: Ethiopia. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000708 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.