A natural sunstone of 6.10 carats, about 6.70 ratti, at Rs. 1,650 – roughly Rs. 270 per carat. An oval cabochon.

A size that works in everyday jewellery

At just over six carats this is a practical size for a ring worn daily, or for a pendant. It sits close to the hand rather than standing proud, which is the single thing that most determines whether a ring gets worn or left in a drawer. It is also an easy size to set: standard oval mounts exist at these proportions, where a much larger stone usually needs a setting made for it.

It is one of the livelier stones here

Sunstone is bought for its sparkle, so it is worth measuring rather than asserting. The glitter on this one covers about 2.83% of its face, which is the second-highest reading of the ten stones in this category, where the quietest measures 1.21% and the liveliest 3.37%. Only one stone in this category throws more light back at you than this one.

The body colour is a warm brown – about 88% of the face reads as brown, with roughly 5% reading as bright orange. That is what sunstone of this type looks like, and it is not the vivid orange the name sometimes suggests.

What sunstone actually is

A feldspar, chemically a sodium-calcium aluminium silicate, and the same mineral family as moonstone and labradorite. The sparkle comes from microscopic platelets of copper suspended inside the crystal, lying parallel to one another and reflecting light together. That effect has its own name, aventurescence, and it is the whole reason the stone is called sunstone.

Softer than household dust

At Mohs 6 to 6.5, sunstone is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary air, which is about 7. A ring worn every day will gradually lose its mirror polish. Re-polishing is quick and cheap, and a bezel setting helps, but it is worth knowing in advance.

What has not been tested

Sunstone is usually untreated as a general matter. This stone has no laboratory report and its treatment has not been tested, so that is the trade norm rather than a statement about this piece.

Care and ordering

Warm water, mild soap, a soft cloth. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam. Keep it away from harder stones. One stone, sold once. Message us on WhatsApp for more photographs, and we deliver across Pakistan.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural sunstone with a weight of 6.1 Carat. Its price is Rs. 1,650 — roughly Rs. 270 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-SS-0002 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 sunstone rates 6 to 6.5. That is middle-of-the-road hardness: comfortable in pendants and earrings, and in rings worn with some care. Store it apart from harder stones so it does not pick up scratches, and wipe it with a damp cloth rather than scrubbing.

Whoever you buy sunstone 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 sunstone 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): Sunstone is usually untreated. 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.