Hakik is the same stone as aqeeq, reaching us through Hindi and Gujarati where aqeeq comes through Arabic and Urdu. Both land on the same mineral: chalcedony agate. If you searched for black hakik you are looking for what this page sells, and the different spellings are worth knowing because sellers use them interchangeably and prices sometimes do not match across them.

The stone

14.35 carats, which is 15.77 ratti. Rs. 10,000, about Rs. 697 per carat, reference GS-BL-0021. One piece only.

One stone, many names

• Hakik / Haqiq — Hindi and Gujarati, widely used in the subcontinent's stone trade.
• Aqeeq (عقیق) — the Arabic and Urdu name, the one you will hear most in Pakistan.
• Kala aqeeq — black aqeeq, specifically.
• Agate — the English and gemmological name.
• Black onyx — the international trade name for solid black material, though onyx strictly means straight-banded agate.

Our Urdu and English gemstone name list matches the rest, which saves confusion when a jeweller and a website call the same stone different things.

What to check before you buy any hakik

1. Stone or glass? Agate stays cool for a moment in the hand; glass warms fast. Under a loupe, glass shows round bubbles and swirl lines.
2. Solid or assembled? Look at the stone edge-on for a straight joint line. Agate should be one continuous piece.
3. Is the rate sane? Around Rs. 700 per carat is normal here. Far below usually means glass; far above needs a reason.
4. Will they disclose the dye? Ours is on every listing — see below.
5. Can you inspect before paying? Everything here is Cash on Delivery for exactly that reason.

The dye

Black agate is almost always dyed — standard for this stone type, on our specification sheet, and done by a method close to two centuries old. Natural grey agate is soaked in a sugar solution and then in sulphuric acid; the sugar carbonises inside the stone's pores and blackens it from within. The colour is permanent, does not rub off, and the material stays natural agate. More in our black agate buying guide and the wider dyed and glass aqeeq guide.

What is 14.35 carats good for?

A standard men's silver ring, or a pendant. It is the size that fills a normal band without overhanging the finger. Shape and measurements have not been recorded for this piece; message us on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure it.

Verification

A certificate of authenticity is available on request and independent laboratory testing can be arranged. You pay the rider only after the parcel is open, and the seven-day return window runs from delivery. More on our authenticity page.

Care

Agate is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage. Warm soapy water and a soft brush; no bleach and no ultrasonic cleaner. Water is harmless, so wudu is fine; dry the ring afterwards.

Ordering

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. More in the black hakik collection, and pricing in the aqeeq price guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural black agate with a weight of 14.35 Carat. Its price is Rs. 10,000 — roughly Rs. 697 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-BL-0021 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.