This is the most expensive opal in our collection, and since "premium" is a word that usually means nothing at all, it is worth setting out exactly what the money buys. It is not size — we list a stone more than six times heavier for less. It is the rate: about Rs. 9,630 per carat, against roughly Rs. 1,199 at the other end of our range. That rate is paid for the quality of the play of colour.

The stone

3.85 carats, which is 4.23 ratti. Rs. 31,500, about Rs. 9,630 per carat, reference GS-000706. Recorded shape: oval. Origin: Ethiopia. This is Welo material, like the rest of our Ethiopian opal. One piece, as photographed.

What separates a premium opal from an ordinary one

1. Coverage. How much of the face lights up rather than sitting as plain body. On this stone, measured from the photograph, flashes cover about 10% of the centre.
2. Brightness of the flashes. Vivid colour that reads across a room, not a dull shimmer that needs a torch.
3. A clean, bright body. This one measures 202 out of 255 — among the brightest bodies in our Ethiopian stock, which is what lets the colour read so cleanly.
4. A well-shaped dome. Symmetrical, properly polished, no flat spot where the cutter saved weight.
5. Soundness. No crazing, no fractures reaching the surface.

Is it worth the rate?

That depends on what you want. If the aim is the most opal for the money, our larger stones at a quarter of the rate do that job honestly and we would rather sell you one. If you want a stone where the colour is the point — something that stops people mid-conversation — this is the one in our range we would put in front of you. Both are legitimate purchases; they are simply different ones.

The water question

Ethiopian opal is usually hydrophane and absorbs water. A wet stone can go clear or cloudy and lose its play of colour until it dries, which on a stone bought for its colour is alarming the first time it happens. It is temporary. Dry it slowly at room temperature, never with heat, keep it off during washing, swimming and wudu, and keep oil and perfume away from it — those soak in and do not evaporate.

Treatment

This stone has not been tested. At this price that is worth saying twice rather than glossing over: the specification sheet records the treatment as untested, not as absent. Smoke treatment darkens a pale body to imitate scarcer dark-bodied opal, and a bright body like this one is not what it is used to produce — but the honest statement is that the test has not been done. For a stone at this rate we would encourage independent laboratory testing, and we will arrange it before dispatch if you ask.

Care

Opal rates 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Protective setting, soft dry cloth, no ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no hot water, and keep it away from harder stones in storage.

More

The Ethiopian opal price guide explains the rates, the buying guide covers judging quality, and our authenticity page sets out what we verify and what we do not. The rest of the range is on the Ethiopian opal page.

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 before you order.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural ethiopian opal with a weight of 3.85 Carat. Its price is Rs. 9,630 — roughly Rs. 2,501 for each carat. Origin: Ethiopia. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000706 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.