A 10 carat pearl — 10.99 ratti — at Rs. 2,630, or about Rs. 263 per carat. The round weight makes this the easiest stone here to compare against anything you are offered elsewhere.

What pearl costs here

Across our pearls the rate runs from Rs. 209 to Rs. 311 per carat, with one exception: the single saltwater South Sea pearl, which sits at about Rs. 2,970 per carat. That gap is the real market difference between saltwater and freshwater material, not a difference in quality within one type.

Total prices here run from Rs. 2,630 for the smallest to Rs. 3,000 for the largest, so weight moves the total far less than it would in a faceted gem. In pearl, lustre and surface do more to set price than carat weight does.

How to compare a pearl price properly

Four questions, in order of how much they move the price.

Saltwater or freshwater? The single biggest factor, often ten times. How good is the lustre? Look for a tight, sharply bounded highlight rather than a diffuse glow — this matters more than size. How clean is the surface? Pits and ridges are common and discount heavily. And what is the per-carat rate, not the ticket price, since a low total usually just means a small pearl.

Ratti, for buyers who use it

One ratti is 0.91 carat, so this pearl's 10 carat is 10.99 ratti — effectively eleven ratti, which is the figure most often asked for when moti is bought for the Moon rather than for jewellery. Both numbers are printed on every listing here so nothing needs converting.

This pearl, and care

Brightness 208 out of 255 at 2% saturation — the most neutral white of the ten. Pearl is 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale and nacre dissolves in acid: last on, first off, soft damp cloth after wearing, and never an ultrasonic cleaner, steam or dip.

Treatment has not been tested on this pearl, so we say so rather than describing it as untreated. No documented origin is held for it. Dimensions are not recorded yet — ask and we will measure.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural pearl, known in Urdu as Moti, with a weight of 10 Carat. Its price is Rs. 2,630 — roughly Rs. 263 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000334 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.

On the Mohs scale pearl rates 2.5 to 4.5. That makes it soft for a gemstone, better suited to pendants, earrings and rings for special occasions than to a daily ring. Keep it away from perfume, cleaning products, steam and ultrasonic cleaners, and polish it with a dry, soft cloth after wear.

Whoever you buy pearl 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 pearl 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): Pearls (moti) are commonly bleached and polished; dyed colours are disclosed. 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.