Aqeeq is the stone people ask us about most often and the one where quoted prices vary the most wildly. Part of that is genuine: aqeeq covers a whole family of stones. Part of it is not, because a dyed stone and a natural one look identical in a phone photograph and cost very different amounts to produce. This page works the pricing through on a real stone.

This stone's numbers

26.60 carats, which is 29.23 ratti. Natural red agate — surkh aqeeq. Rs. 18,600, which is about Rs. 699 per carat, under reference GS-RE-0023.

How we price aqeeq, and why it is a flat rate

Look across our red, yellow, black, white, green and sulemani agate listings and you will find the same thing: roughly Rs. 700 per carat, whatever the colour and whatever the size. That is deliberate, and it tells you something about the stone.

• Agate is not rare. It forms in volcanic cavities all over the world in enormous quantity. There is no scarcity premium to charge, at any size.
• Size does not multiply the rate. Unlike sapphire or ruby, a 30 carat agate is not disproportionately harder to find than a 10 carat one, so the per-carat figure stays flat instead of climbing.
• The cutting is straightforward. Most aqeeq is cut as a cabochon or a simple flat-top for a ring, not as a precision faceted stone, so there is less labour in the price.
• What you are really paying for is the material being natural. That is the honest answer, and it is why the dye question below matters more than any haggling over the rate.

What a fair quote looks like

If somebody quotes you Rs. 3,000 a carat for an ordinary red agate, ask what justifies it — an exceptional pattern, a recognised origin, a lab report. If somebody quotes you Rs. 150 a carat, ask whether it is dyed, or glass. Both ends of that range exist in Pakistani markets and both are sold as "original". Our aqeeq price guide goes through this in detail, and the general price guide covers the other stones.

The dye question

Red agate is often heated or dyed to deepen its colour — that is the honest position for this stone type, and it is what our specification sheet says rather than a blanket "100% natural" claim. Heating red agate is an old and accepted practice; aggressive dyeing is different, and it is what you should be checking for. Signs to look for are colour concentrated in cracks, an unnaturally even and flat red, and a tell-tale line where the colour stops. Our guide to spotting dyed and glass aqeeq shows what to look at.

Can I get it tested?

Yes. A certificate of authenticity is available on request, and we can arrange independent laboratory testing. Because you pay the rider on delivery, you can also take the stone to a laboratory of your own choosing inside the seven-day return window — which on a stone like this is the most convincing test there is.

What size is 26.60 carats?

Large. This is a men's ring stone in the traditional style, or a substantial pendant. Shape and measurements have not been recorded for this piece; message us on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure it and photograph it against a scale.

How hard is it?

Agate is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale — fine for a ring worn daily. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, and keep it away from bleach and ultrasonic cleaners.

Ordering

One piece only. Flat Rs. 500 delivery anywhere in Pakistan by insured, tracked courier, dispatched within one to two working days. Cash on Delivery, seven days to return it unused. Compare the whole family in the red agate collection and the aqeeq collection.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural red agate with a weight of 26.6 Carat. Its price is Rs. 18,600 — roughly Rs. 699 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-RE-0023 when you message us about it. The picture is a representative photograph of this type of stone, not of this individual piece, so the stone you receive will differ in its markings and outline. Its weight and price above are this stone's own, and we will send photographs of the actual piece on WhatsApp before you buy.

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.