A natural topaz of 8.35 carats, about 9.18 ratti, at Rs. 16,700 – Rs. 2,000 per carat, the lowest rate in this category. Its colour is recorded as grey.

Buying it loose, and what to tell your jeweller

Sold unset, which for topaz is the sensible way to buy it, because the setting decides how long the stone lasts. Four things to say before any work starts:

• Mohs 8, but perfect basal cleavage. Say the word cleavage. Topaz splits along one plane whatever its hardness, and a jeweller who knows that will handle it differently.
• Set the stone last, after the metal is finished and polished. Topaz dislikes torch heat and sudden temperature change.
• No ultrasonic cleaner, ever, and no steam. Not for the finished piece either.
• Bezel rather than claws for anything worn on the hand.

What this stone is

A long oval-cushion, about 1.91 times as long as it is wide, brilliant-faceted, its outline filling about 81% of its bounding box. Measured across the photograph, about 56% of its face reads as blue and 39% as near-colourless, with 19% reading as a strong saturated blue. Its recorded colour is grey, and in the hand it is a pale, cool stone rather than a vivid one.

At eight and a third carats and Rs. 2,000 per carat, it is a lot of bright gem for the money. Four other stones in this category share that same flat rate.

Treatment

Almost all blue topaz is irradiated and then heated – natural blue topaz is rare and faint, and the blues on the market begin as colourless stones. That is standard across the trade, permanent and stable. For this stone the treatment has not been tested and there is no laboratory report. Topaz is also imitated by glass and by synthetic spinel, so if it is going into gold, ask us to arrange independent testing first.

Ordering

One stone, sold once. Message us on WhatsApp for more photographs or a video, and we deliver across Pakistan.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural topaz, known in Urdu as Sunehla, with a weight of 8.35 Carat. Its price is Rs. 16,700 — roughly Rs. 2,000 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000498 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 topaz rates 8. 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 topaz 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 topaz 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): Yellow and golden topaz is usually untreated, though some colours are produced by heating. 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.