Hardness is the first thing to know about this Kashmir ruby: 9 on the Mohs scale means it shrugs off scratches from dust, keys and daily friction. Only diamond is harder, so a ring is a perfectly reasonable home for it.

Hardness is not toughness, though. Any gem can chip along an edge if struck hard, and a stone of 8.55 carats presents a large surface to knocks. A setting that shelters the outline, such as a bezel or deep claws, is cheap insurance.

The stone itself is a natural red ruby, with Kashmir as its stated origin, priced at Rs. 12,000, about Rs. 1,404 per carat. Its reference is GS-000560. Heating is common in ruby, and weaker material is occasionally glass-filled, which we do not pass off as natural ruby. Ask on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone; independent lab testing is available on request.

To look after it, wash it in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap and a soft brush, then dry it with a lint-free cloth. Keep bleach and acid cleaners away from any ruby. Store it in a soft pouch, apart from diamonds or other hard stones that could rub against it. More on caring for stones is in our gemstone care guide; other yaqoot is in the ruby section.

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.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural ruby, known in Urdu as Yaqoot, with a weight of 8.55 Carat. Its price is Rs. 12,000 — roughly Rs. 1,404 for each carat. Origin: Kashmir. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000560 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 ruby rates 9. Few materials will scratch it, so it copes well with everyday ring wear. A soak in warm water with a drop of mild soap and a soft brush keeps it bright; skip the ultrasonic cleaner if inclusions reach the surface.

Whoever you buy ruby 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 ruby 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): Most ruby (yaqoot) is heated, and lower grades may be glass-filled; we do not sell glass-filled ruby as natural ruby. 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.