"Premium quality" is the least useful phrase in the gemstone trade, because nobody has to define it. So let us define it for this stone, and note at the outset that we have not inflated the rate to match the word: at about Rs. 700 per carat it is priced exactly like every other agate on this site.

The stone

16.85 carats, which is 18.52 ratti. Shape: round. Body colour: black. Origin: Yemen. Rs. 11,800, about Rs. 700 per carat, reference GS-00030. Shape, colour and origin here are recorded for this individual stone rather than assumed from the category.

What actually makes an aqeeq premium

• Recorded facts rather than adjectives. This stone has its shape, its colour and its origin on the sheet. Most aqeeq listings anywhere carry none of the three.
• An even body colour. No blotching, no pale patch where the cabochon was cut too thin.
• A proper polish. Agate takes a high polish easily, so a dull or scratchy surface means a rushed job, not difficult material.
• Symmetry. On a round stone this is the easiest thing in the world to check — rotate it and the outline should not wobble.
• An honest treatment line. Ours says agate is often heated or dyed and that this stone has not been tested, which is worth more than a "100% natural" badge that means nothing.

Black Yemeni aqeeq

Black is the second most requested aqeeq colour after red, and in the devotional tradition it is worn as widely. One caution worth knowing: black agate elsewhere on the market is almost always dyed — that is standard for the stone type and we say so plainly on our black agate listings. Yemeni material that is naturally dark is a different proposition, and part of why it is asked for by name. For certainty, we can arrange independent laboratory testing; our dyed and glass aqeeq guide covers what to look for yourself.

Why a round cut?

A round stone suits a signet-style silver ring and is the simplest shape to set well. Every silversmith has the mount, there are no corners to chip, and a symmetrical round looks deliberate on a broad band in a way an irregular freeform does not.

Can I verify the origin?

Not by laboratory test — no report identifies the country an agate came from. Origin here is what our records state. What you can verify is the stone itself: a certificate of authenticity on request, independent testing if you want it, payment only after you have opened the parcel, and seven days to return it unused. Our aqeeq price guide explains what a stated origin is really adding to the price.

Measurements

The diameter has not been recorded. Message us on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure it before your jeweller makes a bezel.

Care and ordering

Agate is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale — fine for daily wear and for wudu; dry the ring afterwards. Warm soapy water and a soft brush, never an ultrasonic cleaner. 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. See the rest of the aqeeq collection.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural aqeeq with a weight of 16.85 Carat. Its price is Rs. 11,800 — roughly Rs. 700 for each carat. Origin: Yemen. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-00030 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 aqeeq 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 aqeeq 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 aqeeq 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): Agate (aqeeq) is often heated or dyed to deepen its colour. 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.