A natural sunstone cabochon of 9.85 carats, about 10.82 ratti, at Rs. 2,630 – roughly Rs. 267 per carat.

What "premium" means here, and what it does not

Since the word is on the label, it should be defined rather than left to do vague work.

What it does mean: this is the largest stone of the ten in this category at 9.85 carats, where the smallest is 5.80, and the highest total price at Rs. 2,630. It is also among the brighter stones here, with an average lightness of about 91 on a 0-255 scale against 80 for the darkest, and it has a clean, even dome with a well-finished polish.

What it does not mean: it is not the most sparkling stone here. Its glitter measures about 1.72% of the face, below the middle of the ten, where the liveliest reaches 3.37%. If schiller is your priority rather than size, another stone in this category gives you more of it for less money, and we would rather tell you that than take the larger sale.

It also does not mean a laboratory grade. No stone in this category has been graded by anyone.

A warm brown stone

About 89% of the face reads as brown, with roughly 4% reading as bright orange. In the hand that is a warm honey-brown. Sunstone is a feldspar, the same mineral family as moonstone; the glitter it is named for comes from microscopic plates of copper lying parallel inside the crystal and flashing together as the stone moves, an effect called aventurescence.

At nearly ten carats it is a statement stone – big enough for a man's ring, a large pendant or a cufflink, and it will need a setting made for its proportions rather than an off-the-shelf mount.

Softer than household dust

At Mohs 6 to 6.5, sunstone is softer than the quartz in ordinary airborne dust, about 7. On a large stone there is more surface to dull, so a bezel setting and taking the piece off for rough work both pay for themselves. Re-polishing is quick and inexpensive when it is eventually needed.

What has not been tested

Sunstone is usually untreated, which is the honest general position for this material. This stone has no laboratory report and its treatment has not been tested, so we are giving you the trade norm, not a fact about this stone. Ask and we will arrange a test.

Care and ordering

Warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam, which feldspar does not take well, and 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 9.85 Carat. Its price is Rs. 2,630 — roughly Rs. 267 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-SS-0010 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.