Natural Yellow Agate in Pakistan

Where the Yellow Comes From

Like all agate, zard aqeeq is chalcedony - quartz made of microscopic crystals. Its warm colour comes from traces of iron in the stone. The best pieces are slightly translucent, so light enters a millimetre or two before scattering, which gives the colour depth.

Quick Guide to Quality

Watch Out for Dye

Yellow is an easy colour to imitate by dyeing pale agate, so two checks are worth making: hold the stone edge-on to a torch to see whether the thin edges glow naturally, and look around any drill hole or crack for colour pooling. Glass copies may show bubbles and feel less cool than real agate. We state any treatment we know of on each listing. For a broader look at how we approach this, see our authenticity page.

Zard Aqeeq in a Ring

Yellow agate is usually cut as an oval or cushion cabochon and set in silver, where its warm colour shows clearly. At 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale it handles daily wear, and a bezel setting protects the edge from knocks. Because agate is lighter than most gem minerals, even large stones - well over twenty carats - make substantial men's rings without feeling heavy. In local tradition yellow aqeeq is often worn for its warmth and cheerfulness; that is belief, not a promised effect.

Caring for your yellow agate

Agate asks for very little. Keep it away from household bleach and strong solvents, remove the ring before heavy work, and clean it with lukewarm water and a soft cloth. It needs none of the special handling that opal, pearl or coral do.

From Our Listing to Your Door

Every yellow agate on this page is a single stone, photographed as it is and priced individually. We inspect each one before listing. Orders go by insured, tracked courier to every city in Pakistan for a flat Rs. 500, usually arriving within about 7 working days. Pay by Cash on Delivery after inspecting the stone, and if it isn't right, return or exchange it within 7 days of delivery.