Natural Green Agate in Pakistan

What Gives Sabz Aqeeq Its Colour

Green agate is chalcedony, the same microcrystalline quartz as every other aqeeq. Its colour comes from traces of iron and chlorite inside the stone. Despite the resemblance, it has no relation to jade: it is a different mineral with different hardness, density and value.

Green Agate, Moss Agate or Jade?

All three turn up in similar shades of green, so it pays to know the differences:

• Green agate - fairly even colour, often with faint banding, and translucent at the edges.
• Moss agate - clear to milky chalcedony with dark, branching inclusions that look like plants or moss.
• Jade (yashab) - a different mineral altogether, denser and tougher, and worth considerably more. See our jade collection to compare.

A seller should always be able to tell you which of the three you are looking at. If they can't or won't, look elsewhere.

The Dye Question

Green is one of the colours most often created by dyeing pale agate, so green stones deserve a closer look than most. Dyed material tends to look too uniform, with colour bunched up in cracks and pits. Natural green agate varies subtly across its surface and glows at the thinnest edges when held against a torch. Our listings state any treatment we know of, so you don't have to guess.

Choosing a Good Stone

Look for an even, pleasing shade, good translucency and a clean polish without pits. Faint banding is a sign of natural growth, not a flaw. Size is a matter of taste: agate is light for its size, so even a larger cabochon sits comfortably on the hand.

Setting and Care

Sabz aqeeq is usually cut as an oval cabochon and set in a silver ring. At 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale it handles daily wear well, and a bezel protects the edges. Clean it with lukewarm water and a soft cloth, and keep it away from bleach and strong solvents.

Buying Sabz Aqeeq from GemStore

Each stone here is one individual green agate, photographed as it is and priced on its own. We inspect every stone and disclose treatment where known. Orders go out by insured, tracked courier to any city in Pakistan for a flat Rs. 500, and you can pay Cash on Delivery after inspecting the stone. If it isn't what you hoped, return or exchange it within 7 days of delivery.