Black aqeeq is the stone of the plain silver ring — the one worn across Pakistan without ornament or fuss, often for years, often without the wearer ever thinking of it as jewellery. It is agate: chalcedony quartz, the same mineral family as the red and banded stones, in the colour that has always been the most worn.

The stone

26.55 carats, which is 29.18 ratti. Natural black agate. Rs. 18,600, about Rs. 701 per carat, reference GS-BL-0026. One piece, photographed as it is.

Why black aqeeq, specifically

Partly tradition. Aqeeq rings have been worn in the Muslim world for centuries, and black is among the most common choices alongside red. Partly practicality: a black stone shows no dust, matches everything, and does not announce itself at work or at prayer. And partly durability — at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage planes, agate takes knocks that would chip a faceted transparent gem.

Our aqeeq for men page covers the tradition, including the custom of wearing it in silver on the right hand. We pass those on as customs rather than as claims about what a stone will do for you.

About the colour — stated plainly

Black agate is almost always dyed. It is standard for this stone type, our specification sheet says so on every listing, and the process has been in use for close to two centuries: natural grey agate is soaked in a sugar solution and then in acid, which carbonises inside the stone's pores and blackens it from within. Permanent, stable, and the material underneath stays natural agate.

So "natural black aqeeq" means natural agate — not that the colour arrived on its own. We would rather you read that here than discover it from somebody else later. Our black agate buying guide explains it fully.

How do I know it is stone and not glass?

• Temperature. Agate stays cool for a moment when you pick it up. Glass warms almost immediately.
• Bubbles. Under a loupe, glass shows round gas bubbles and swirl lines. Agate does not.
• Edges. Glass imitations often show mould seams near the base.
• Weight. Agate feels denser than it looks.

More in our guide to spotting dyed and glass aqeeq. A certificate of authenticity comes on request and independent laboratory testing can be arranged.

Setting it

At 26.55 carats this suits a broad 925 silver band in the traditional style, bezel-set so the rim protects the edge. Shape and measurements have not been recorded for this piece; ask on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure it before your silversmith starts. Our aqeeq ring page breaks down what the metal and labour cost separately from the stone.

Care

Warm soapy water and a soft brush. No bleach, no ultrasonic cleaner. Water is harmless, so wudu is fine — dry the ring so water does not sit under the stone and dull the silver.

Ordering

One piece only. 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 26.55 Carat. Its price is Rs. 18,600 — roughly Rs. 701 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-BL-0026 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.