Natural Gemstones Under Rs 5,000 That Are Worth Buying

A small budget buys genuine stones well when you choose the right types. Agates, tiger eye, hematite, jasper, moonstone, amethyst and garnet are natural stones that commonly appear in our Under Rs 5,000 filter, often in good colour and a useful size. What you should not expect at this level is a fine Neelam, Yaqoot or Zamurd. Here is what is worth buying, what to expect and which traps to avoid.

What a small budget buys well

A small budget buys ornamental and semi-precious stones in good quality, and precious stones only in small sizes or modest grades. Opaque stones such as agate, jasper, tiger eye and hematite are where this band does best: you can often get a well-polished, natural stone of a size that sits nicely in a ring or pendant. Transparent stones such as amethyst, citrine and garnet appear too, usually in smaller sizes or with inclusions you can see.

The stones in each budget band change as stock comes and goes, so treat this guide as a map of stone types, not a list of what is in stock. The Under Rs 5,000 filter on our shop always shows exactly what is listed in this band.

Agates (Aqeeq): the strongest choice

Agate is the best all-round buy on a small budget. It is a form of chalcedony quartz with a hardness of about 6.5 to 7, so it wears well in a ring, takes a good polish and comes in a wide range of colours and patterns. In Pakistan it also carries a long tradition, which makes it a popular gift.

• Black agate: even, glossy black; plain and practical. See our black agate guide.
• Red agate (Surkh Aqeeq): warm reds and oranges; see buying red agate for the first time.
• Sulemani agate: banded black, brown and white; each stone is different.
• Moss agate: clear to milky stone with green, plant-like inclusions.
• White, yellow and green agate: softer, quieter colours.

Expect dye in some agate. Strong, very even colour, especially in black, green and bright blue agate, is often dyed. Dyed agate is still natural agate and just as durable, but it should be described as dyed. If natural colour matters to you, ask before you buy. Our guide to spotting dyed and glass aqeeq explains the signs.

Tiger eye, tiger iron and hematite

These three give a lot of character for a modest outlay. Tiger eye shows a golden band of light that slides across the stone as it moves, an effect called chatoyancy; the better the cut, the sharper the band. Iron tiger eye (tiger iron) mixes red jasper, metallic hematite and golden tiger eye in bold stripes; see tiger iron for beginners. Hematite is metallic grey and noticeably heavy.

With hematite, watch for hematine, a man-made magnetic material sold as hematite. Natural hematite is only weakly magnetic, if at all, so a bead or stone that snaps strongly to a magnet is suspect. Our hematite article covers this.

Jasper, bloodstone and malachite

Jasper is an opaque quartz stone in reds, browns, yellows and greens, often with picture-like patterns. It is hard-wearing and very rarely faked because it is common. Jasper is cheap, so what are you paying for? explains what separates a good piece from a plain one.

Bloodstone is dark green chalcedony with red spots. Look for a deep green base and clear red flecks rather than muddy brown ones.

Malachite has striking bands of green, but it is soft, around 3.5 to 4, and sensitive to acids and heat. It suits pendants and occasional wear better than a daily ring. Read a beginner's look at malachite before buying.

Moonstone and labradorite: stones with light inside

Moonstone and labradorite are feldspars that show light effects: a soft floating glow in moonstone and flashes of blue, green or gold in labradorite. On a small budget you will usually find smaller moonstones, or stones with a milkier body and a weaker glow, and labradorite with flash across part of the stone rather than all of it. Turn the stone under a single light source to judge the effect. Choosing labradorite explains how to read the flash. Both are softer than quartz, around 6, so protect them from knocks.

Transparent stones: amethyst, citrine and garnet

Amethyst (Jamunia) is the transparent stone that offers the most on a small budget. Expect smaller sizes, lighter or uneven purple, or some visible inclusions. Deep, even purple in a clean stone moves into higher bands.

Citrine (Sunehla) is yellow to orange quartz. Much of it is heated amethyst, which is a standard, stable treatment that should be disclosed. See our citrine article.

Garnet comes in deep reds and other colours. Small garnets in this band can be very attractive, though dark stones can look almost black in dim light. Why garnets differ in price explains the species and colours.

What to expect at this budget

• Size: opaque stones can be generous in size; transparent stones are usually small.
• Clarity: inclusions visible to the eye are normal in transparent stones at this level.
• Cut: many stones are cut for weight rather than perfect symmetry. Check that the polish is smooth and the outline even.
• Treatment: dye in some agates, heat in citrine. Both are acceptable when disclosed.
• Paperwork: a certificate is available on request, and independent lab testing can be arranged on request. For an inexpensive stone, though, a lab fee can be large compared with the stone itself, so for common stones a seller's clear disclosure and your own inspection often make more sense.

Traps to avoid on a small budget

The most common trap is a precious stone at a price that does not make sense. A good-sized "blue sapphire", "ruby" or "emerald" offered very cheaply is usually glass, a synthetic stone, or a heavily treated stone such as lead-glass-filled ruby. If you want a precious stone, read buying Neelam: a first-timer's guide and look in the higher budget filters, where real stones of that type sit.

Other traps are simpler:

• Glass sold as rock crystal, amethyst or "Dur-e-Najaf". Look for round bubbles and swirl marks.
• Dyed howlite sold as Feroza (turquoise).
• Plastic sold as amber.
• Hematine sold as hematite.

Our guide Real or fake? How to check a gemstone covers the basic tests you can do at home.

How to judge any stone at this level

1. Colour first. Pick the stone whose colour you enjoy looking at. On a small budget, a lively colour in a common stone beats a dull example of a rarer one.
2. Lustre and polish. A good polish gives a crisp reflection. Dull patches or scratches suggest a rushed finish.
3. Durability for the use. For a daily ring, choose quartz-family stones such as agate, jasper, tiger eye or amethyst. Keep softer stones for pendants.
4. Honest description. The listing should name the stone and any treatment plainly.

When to move up a band

If you have set your heart on a transparent stone of good size, a clean stone, or a precious stone such as Neelam, Pukhraj or Yaqoot, the lowest band will usually disappoint you. The next budget filter opens up larger amethyst, peridot, topaz and better moonstone. It is better to buy a good example of a modest stone than a poor example of a famous one.

Buying on a budget from GemStore

Every stone we sell is natural, never synthetic or lab-created, and known treatments are disclosed. Each stone is photographed and priced on its own, so what you see is the stone you get. Cash on Delivery is available anywhere in Pakistan, and you may open the parcel and inspect the stone before paying the rider. Returns are accepted within 7 days. For delivery charges, see our delivery details. If you are unsure which stone suits your budget and purpose, send us a message on WhatsApp.

Shop the stones: black agate · red agate · tiger eye · jasper · moonstone · amethyst · garnet.