A natural sunstone of 7.30 carats, about 8.02 ratti, at Rs. 1,880 – roughly Rs. 258 per carat. An oval cabochon.

Why silver suits this stone

Silver is the usual setting for a stone like this in Pakistan, and for sunstone specifically it is a sound choice. A cool white metal lets the warm brown body and the copper glitter do the work, where yellow gold pushes the whole thing in the same direction and flattens the contrast. Silver is also easy for any local jeweller to work, re-size or re-set later, and inexpensive enough that the setting does not outprice the stone.

One thing worth asking for: a bezel rather than claws. Sunstone is softer than most ring stones, and a continuous rim of metal takes the knocks and the rubbing instead of the stone's edge.

A deep, quiet stone

This is one of the darker stones in the category, with an average brightness of about 82 on a 0-255 scale, and about 92% of its face reads as brown. Its sparkle measures about 1.58% of the face, below the middle of this tray. The overall effect is a sober, deep stone rather than a flashy one, which for a man's ring is often what is wanted.

What sunstone is

A feldspar, the same mineral family as moonstone and labradorite. The glitter comes from microscopic plates of copper lying parallel inside the crystal and catching light together, an effect called aventurescence. The brown body colour comes from iron in the feldspar itself.

Softer than household dust

At Mohs 6 to 6.5, sunstone is softer than the quartz in ordinary airborne dust, which sits at about 7. A man's ring takes more abrasion than any other piece of jewellery, so expect the polish to soften over a few years of daily wear. It is easily and cheaply restored, and taking the ring off for rough work makes a real difference.

What has not been tested

Sunstone is usually untreated as a general rule. This stone has no laboratory report and its treatment has not been tested, so we are stating the trade norm rather than a fact about this piece. We will arrange a test if you want one.

Care and ordering

Warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam. Store it apart 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 7.3 Carat. Its price is Rs. 1,880 — roughly Rs. 258 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-SS-0004 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.