Ask a silversmith what weight of black agate a man's ring takes and the answer lands between fifteen and twenty-five carats almost every time. Lighter than that and the stone looks lost in a wide band; heavier and it starts to overhang the finger and catch on sleeves. At 18.45 carats this sits in the middle of that window.

The stone

18.45 carats, which is 20.27 ratti. Rs. 12,900, about Rs. 699 per carat, reference GS-BL-0024. One piece only.

What makes a good men's ring stone

1. Enough weight to fill a broad shank. Traditional men's silver rings use wide bands. A small stone looks accidental in one.
2. A low profile. A ring worn through work, driving and prayer should not stand high off the finger. Ask for a low bezel rather than tall claws.
3. Toughness. Agate is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage planes — it absorbs knocks that would chip a faceted transparent stone.
4. A colour that works with oxidised silver. Black against blackened silver is the classic combination, and it ages well rather than looking tired.
5. An honest treatment line. Covered below, and the thing most sellers skip.

Specifying the ring

925 sterling silver, a 7 to 10 mm shank, and a full bezel — a continuous rim of metal around the stone that protects the edge where chips start. Oxidised finish for the traditional look, polished if you want the stone to read sharper against the metal. Our aqeeq ring price page separates the cost of the silver and the labour from the cost of the stone, which is worth seeing before you commit.

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 separately.

The colour, stated plainly

Black agate is almost always dyed. That is standard for this stone type and it is on our specification sheet rather than hidden. The method is close to two centuries old — a sugar solution followed by acid, carbonising inside the stone's pores — and the result is permanent, stable and will not rub off onto your finger or fade with wear. The material underneath remains natural agate. Our black agate buying guide explains it in full.

Which hand, which day?

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

Living with it

Water is harmless, 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 drain cleaner, no ultrasonic bath. Take it off for heavy lifting and anything with a hammer in it.

Ordering

One piece only. Flat Rs. 500 delivery anywhere in Pakistan, insured and tracked, dispatched in one to two working days. Cash on Delivery — open the parcel and look at the stone before you pay — and seven days to return it unused.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural black agate with a weight of 18.45 Carat. Its price is Rs. 12,900 — roughly Rs. 699 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-BL-0024 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.