A natural red agate of 14.85 carats, about 16.32 ratti, at Rs. 10,400 – exactly Rs. 700 per carat. An oval cabochon.

Why a pendant suits this size

Approaching fifteen carats, this is at the point where a stone starts to fight a ring. On a finger it stands high, catches on sleeves and takes knocks from every direction; hanging at the chest it is protected on all sides and seen properly. A pendant setting also lets light in around the edge of a cabochon, which does more for a translucent stone than a closed ring mount does.

A simple silver bezel with a bail is the usual answer and the cheapest. If you want the stone to read larger, ask for a thin rim rather than a wide one.

The colour has two tones

This is worth flagging because the photograph shows it clearly. The body of the stone is a deep red, but roughly 24% of its face reads as orange rather than red – by far the highest proportion of any stone in this tray, where most measure under 3%. That is a warm golden-orange zone along one edge of the dome, which is natural banding in the chalcedony rather than a flaw. If you want a stone of one even colour, one of the others here will suit you better. If you like a stone with some movement in it, this is the one.

Hardness

Agate is chalcedony at Mohs 6.5 to 7 with no cleavage planes, which makes it tough against impact. A pendant sees far less abrasion than a ring, so the polish on this one should stay bright with very little effort.

What has not been tested

There is no lab report for this stone and its treatment has not been tested. Red agate is often heated or dyed, and banded material of this kind is sometimes treated to sharpen the contrast between its zones. We have not tested it and will not claim either way. No origin is recorded.

Care and ordering

Warm water, mild soap, a soft cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning, steam, perfume and bleach. One stone, sold once. Message us on WhatsApp for more photographs, and we deliver across Pakistan.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural red agate with a weight of 14.85 Carat. Its price is Rs. 10,400 — roughly Rs. 700 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-RE-0012 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 red 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 red 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 red 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): Red agate 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.