A natural sunstone of 6.95 carats, about 7.64 ratti, at Rs. 1,580 – roughly Rs. 227 per carat.

The most orange stone in this tray, and what that means exactly

This needs saying precisely, because "orange sunstone" sets an expectation.

Measured across the photograph, about 19% of this stone's face reads as bright orange and about 68% reads as brown. Both figures are the most favourable in this category: the next most orange stone here measures 11%, the rest sit under 5%, and no other stone has a brown share below 81%. It is also the lightest stone of the ten, with an average brightness of about 107 on a 0-255 scale against 80 for the darkest.

So: this is a warm orange-brown stone, and the most orange one we have. It is not a vivid carnelian orange, and we would rather you knew that from the listing than from the parcel. If a strong even orange is what you are after, none of the sunstones in this category will give you it.

Less sparkle than the others

Worth flagging, because the two qualities trade off here. The glitter on this stone measures about 1.21% of its face, the lowest reading in the category, where the liveliest stone reaches 3.37%. Its colour comes through more clearly than most precisely because there is less metallic flashing over it. Which you prefer is a matter of taste, and the price is the same either way.

Sunstone and aventurescence

Sunstone is a feldspar, the same mineral family as moonstone. Its characteristic glitter comes from microscopic plates of copper lying parallel inside the crystal and reflecting light together – an effect called aventurescence. The body colour is a separate matter, and comes from iron in the feldspar itself.

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 daily-worn ring will slowly lose its polish. Re-polishing is inexpensive, and a bezel setting protects the edges.

What has not been tested

Sunstone is usually untreated in general. This stone has no laboratory report and its treatment has not been tested, so that is the norm for the material, not a finding about this piece.

Care and ordering

Warm water, mild soap, a soft cloth. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam. 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 6.95 Carat. Its price is Rs. 1,580 — roughly Rs. 227 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-SS-0003 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.