A natural white topaz of 12.60 carats, about 13.85 ratti, at Rs. 25,200 – Rs. 2,000 per carat.

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

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

What it does mean. This is the largest stone in this category at 12.60 carats, where the smallest is 5.30, and the dearest in total at Rs. 25,200. It is a well-proportioned oval, measuring about 1.33 times as long as it is wide and filling about 81% of its bounding box against 78.5% for a perfect ellipse. At this size it is the one stone here that can carry a piece on its own.

What it does not mean. Its rate is Rs. 2,000 per carat, which is exactly what every other stone in this category costs. You are paying more in total because the stone is bigger, not because anybody has judged it finer. These thirteen are a consistent parcel at a flat rate, and we are not going to invent a grade to justify the top of it.

It also does not mean graded or certified. No stone in this category has a laboratory report, this one included.

Colour, measured

About 19% of its face carries a faint yellow-green cast – on the cleaner side of this parcel, where the range runs from under 9% to nearly 39%. For a stone of this size that is worth having: tint shows more the more stone there is to show it in.

Hardness, cleavage and care

Topaz is 8 on the Mohs scale, harder than the quartz dust in ordinary air, which is why a topaz still looks bright after years when softer stones have gone dull.

And the warning that matters more than the hardness: topaz has perfect basal cleavage, a plane along which it will split cleanly if struck sharply. At twelve and a half carats the stone stands proud of the hand, which means it meets doorframes, so a bezel is the right setting rather than an optional one. Off for heavy work, no ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no sudden heat. Warm water, mild soap, a soft brush.

Treatment

Colourless topaz is usually untreated, unlike blue topaz, whose colour comes from irradiation and heating as standard. That is about the material rather than this piece: the treatment of this stone has not been tested and there is no laboratory report.

Ordering

One stone, sold once. Quote GS-WT-0013 when you message us. Message us on WhatsApp for more photographs or a video, and we deliver across Pakistan.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural white topaz with a weight of 12.6 Carat. Its price is Rs. 25,200 — roughly Rs. 2,000 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-WT-0013 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.

Above twelve carats you are into collector territory. Pieces this heavy are usually set as pendants or kept loose, and they are prized for the size of rough they came from. If you do set it, choose a bezel or a heavy claw to protect the edges.

On the Mohs scale white 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 white 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 white 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): Colourless (white) topaz is normally 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.