Shajri aqeeq takes its name from shajar, tree, and the moment you hold one the name explains itself. Cream-white mineral inclusions branch through translucent chalcedony like a plant pressed in glass. They are not organic — they are usually iron or manganese silicates that crystallised as the agate formed — but the resemblance is uncanny and it is why the stone has been collected for centuries.

The stone

37.85 carats, which is 41.59 ratti. Shape: oval. Natural moss agate — Shajri Aqeeq. Rs. 26,500, about Rs. 700 per carat, reference GS-000436. This is a large stone and, because the pattern is unique to it, genuinely one of a kind.

Judging a shajri stone

Unlike red aqeeq, where you judge the evenness of a colour, here you judge a picture:

• Distribution. The moss should spread across the face, not bunch at one edge leaving half the stone empty.
• Contrast. Pale inclusions against a warm, darker ground \u{2014} or dark ones against a clear ground \u{2014} read best. Where the background is cloudy, the pattern disappears.
• Depth. Good moss agate has inclusions at different levels, so the pattern seems to hang in three dimensions as you tilt it.
• Translucency of the ground. Hold it to a light. The more light passes through the clear areas, the more the moss stands out.
• Polish and dome. A smooth, even cabochon dome without flat spots. Agate polishes well, so a dull surface means a rushed job.

Our guide to judging moss agate works through pattern, clarity and cut in more detail, and the moss agate price guide explains the rate.

Treatment: the easy one in this family

Moss agate is usually untreated, and our specification sheet says so. That sets it apart from red, yellow and black agate, which are routinely heated or dyed — there is simply no commercial reason to dye a stone whose value sits in its inclusions rather than its colour. It makes shajri aqeeq a straightforward first purchase for anyone nervous about the dye question. A certificate of authenticity is still available on request, and independent laboratory testing can be arranged.

What do you do with 37.85 carats?

This is pendant territory as much as ring territory. A large oval moss agate on a chain shows the full pattern, which a ring bezel always crops a little. In a ring it suits a broad silver shank in the traditional style and will sit proud of the finger. Tell us which you are planning on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will quote the mount separately from the stone.

Measurements

Length and width have not been recorded for this piece. We will measure it and photograph it against a scale on request.

Care

Agate is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Warm soapy water and a soft brush; no bleach and no ultrasonic cleaner. Water is harmless to it.

Ordering

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. More patterns in the Shajri Aqeeq collection.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural moss agate, known in Urdu as Shajri Aqeeq, with a weight of 37.85 Carat. Its price is Rs. 26,500 — roughly Rs. 700 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000436 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.