Silver and black agate is the oldest pairing in Pakistani men's jewellery, and it works for reasons beyond tradition. Silver is soft enough to be worked into the close bezel that protects a ring stone, it oxidises to a dark grey that sits beside black without clashing, and it is affordable enough that the stone stays the point of the piece.

The stone

12 carats, which is 13.19 ratti. Rs. 8,400, about Rs. 700 per carat, reference GS-BL-0020. One piece only.

Specifying the ring

1. 925 sterling silver. Anything lower tarnishes badly and wears thin at the shank within a couple of years.
2. Band width 6 to 9 mm. Balanced for a 12 carat stone. A very wide shank makes a stone this size look undersized; a thin one makes it look top-heavy and will bend.
3. A full bezel. A continuous rim of silver around the stone. It protects the girdle where chips start and keeps the profile low. Claws let in more light, which does nothing for an opaque stone, and they catch on cloth.
4. Oxidised or polished. Blackened silver is the traditional look and hides wear. Polished silver makes the stone read sharper by contrast. Both are correct; it is taste.
5. Closed back. Standard for opaque stones, and it adds strength.

Our aqeeq ring price page breaks down the metal and the labour separately from the stone, so you can see where the money goes rather than being handed one figure.

Why this size works

Twelve carats is the sensible middle. It is big enough to be unmistakably a gemstone ring, small enough to wear every day without catching, and it suits most adult hands without a custom-width band. If you want more presence, the black agate collection runs up past thirty carats at the same rate per carat.

Which hand, which metal

The customary practice for aqeeq is silver, worn on the right hand. That comes from Islamic tradition rather than from the mineral, and we pass it on as custom rather than as a claim. Background on our aqeeq for men page.

The dye

Black agate is almost always dyed — standard for this stone type, stated on our specification sheet. A sugar solution followed by acid carbonises inside the stone's pores and blackens it from within. The colour is permanent, will not transfer to your finger, and the material stays natural agate. Full explanation in our black agate buying guide.

Wearing and cleaning

Water does not harm agate, so wudu and washing are fine — dry the ring afterwards so water does not sit under the stone and dull the silver. Warm soapy water and a soft brush for cleaning; no bleach, no ultrasonic bath. Take it off for heavy work.

Ordering

Shape and measurements have not been recorded for this piece. Send your finger size on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure the stone and quote a mount. Flat Rs. 500 delivery anywhere in Pakistan, insured and tracked, dispatched in one to two working days. Cash on Delivery, seven days to return it unused.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural black agate with a weight of 12 Carat. Its price is Rs. 8,400 — roughly Rs. 700 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-BL-0020 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 black agate rates 6.5 to 7. That is middle-of-the-road hardness: comfortable in pendants and earrings, and in rings worn with some care. Store it apart from harder stones so it does not pick up scratches, and wipe it with a damp cloth rather than scrubbing.

Whoever you buy black agate 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 black agate 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): Black agate is almost always dyed — it is standard for the stone. 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.