A 24.15 carat moss agate — 26.54 ratti — at Rs. 16,900, about Rs. 700 per carat.

No two of these are the same, and that is the point

Most gemstones are bought against a standard. A buyer wants a particular colour of sapphire, a particular clarity of emerald, and two stones meeting the same description are more or less interchangeable. Dendritic agate does not work that way. The dendrites grew along whatever fracture happened to exist in that particular piece of silica, in whatever direction the groundwater happened to run, and the result cannot recur. There is no grade to compare against — there is only whether you like this picture.

That is why we photograph every stone individually rather than using a sample image. The stone in the photograph is the stone that arrives.

How to choose between them

Since the per-carat rate is flat at about Rs. 700 across this whole collection, price tells you nothing about which stone is better — it only tells you which is heavier. So choose on the pattern. Look for branching that reads clearly at arm's length rather than only under a lamp; filaments that thin out at the edges rather than stopping abruptly; and growths that sit at a readable depth, neither crowding the surface nor lost in the base.

This one

Twenty-four carats, cut as an oval cabochon in translucent warm brown, with cream-white dendrites branching across the upper part of the dome. A comfortable size for a men's ring or a small pendant — substantial on the hand without standing high enough to catch.

Care

Chalcedony, 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, which stands up to daily wear. Warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth. No ultrasonic cleaner, no steam, no sudden heat — dendritic agate contains the fractures its dendrites grew along.

Treatment has not been tested on this stone, and we record that rather than calling it untreated. No documented origin is held for it. Dimensions and clarity are not recorded yet; ask and we will measure.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural moss agate, known in Urdu as Shajri Aqeeq, with a weight of 24.15 Carat. Its price is Rs. 16,900 — roughly Rs. 700 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000897 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 moss 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 moss 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 moss 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): Moss agate (shajri aqeeq) is usually untreated. 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.