A 4.70 carat black agate lends itself to a few different settings, so here are the ideas.

Silver ring. This is the classic route. The stone is compact enough for a slim band and hard enough, at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, to survive daily wear. A custom silver ring setting can be discussed with us on WhatsApp; we will not promise a price or a date until we have talked it through.

Pendant. Because it hangs rather than takes knocks, a pendant is gentler on any gemstone. A small bezel keeps the edges safe.

Gold. The dense black contrasts well with yellow gold, though the weight is modest, so keep the mount slim.

The facts

This is Kala Aqeeq, natural black agate, priced at Rs. 710 (about Rs. 151 per carat). Like nearly all black agate, it is dyed, which is simply how the stone is sold. Reference GS-BL-0003 will get you a quick answer on WhatsApp. More options sit in the black agate section.

Whichever setting you pick, ask the jeweller to leave the back of the mount open or lightly vented, so you can wipe the underside of the stone clean.

Order with Cash on Delivery anywhere in Pakistan: open the parcel, check the stone, then pay. If it is not right for you, you have 7 days to return it. Before you choose, read our black agate guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural black agate with a weight of 4.7 Carat. Its price is Rs. 710 — roughly Rs. 151 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-BL-0003 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.

Between two and six carats is the range most people choose for a gents' ring or a noticeable pendant. Here colour drives the price more than size does, which is why two stones of near-identical weight can be priced very differently.

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.