A man's ring wants a stone with presence, and at 8.65 carats this one has it: one of the larger Ethiopian opals we carry, broad across the finger, with colour visible from across a table. The thing to think about before buying opal for a ring, though, is not the look. It is how the stone will be set and how it will be lived with.

The stone

8.65 carats, which is 9.51 ratti. Rs. 21,630, about Rs. 2,501 per carat, reference GS-000710. Recorded shape: oval. Origin: Ethiopia. One piece, as photographed.

What it looks like

Measured from the photograph, the body reads at a brightness of 199 out of 255 — a light, bright background — with colour flashes covering about 9% of the face, greens leading into warm oranges. At under Rs. 1,750 per carat this is one of the better-value stones in our range, because the rate falls as stones get larger.

Setting opal in a ring — the part that matters

1. Bezel, not claws. Opal rates 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. A continuous rim of metal protects the girdle, which is where chips start.
2. Keep it low. A high-set opal catches on doors, pockets and steering wheels. A low dome takes far fewer knocks.
3. Set it cold. The stone goes into a finished mount. Heat near opal is a serious risk, not a minor one.
4. Consider which hand. Most people knock the stone on their dominant hand. An opal lasts longer on the other one.

Living with it — the water question

Ethiopian opal is usually hydrophane, which means it absorbs water. A ring worn through wudu, washing up or a shower will take water in, and the stone can turn clear or cloudy with its play of colour faded until it dries out. The colour comes back. It still means an opal ring is one you take off, and for a stone worn five times a day that is worth thinking about honestly before you buy. Dry it slowly at room temperature, never with heat, and keep it away from oil and perfume, which soak in and stay.

Treatment

Not tested, and the specification sheet states that plainly. Smoke treatment is the one to know about in this material — it darkens a pale body to imitate scarcer dark-bodied stones — and nothing about this bright-bodied stone suggests it, but the test has not been run. We can arrange independent laboratory testing before dispatch.

Care

Soft dry cloth. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no hot water, no harsh chemicals. Store it away from harder stones, which will scratch it. Check it occasionally under a light for crazing.

More

Our guide to wearing opal covers the practical side, the buying guide covers what to inspect, and the Ethiopian opal page has the rest of the range.

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.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural ethiopian opal with a weight of 8.65 Carat. Its price is Rs. 21,630 — roughly Rs. 2,501 for each carat. Origin: Ethiopia. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000710 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.

From six carats up a stone becomes the centre of attention. It wants a broader shank or a secure claw setting and suits an occasion ring, a signet or a centre pendant. Clean natural material of this size turns up far less often, and the per-carat rate reflects that.

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.