A natural red agate of 4.85 carats, about 5.33 ratti, priced at Rs. 3,400 – roughly Rs. 701 per carat. It is cut as an oval cabochon: a smooth polished dome with no facets.

How deep the colour actually is

This is one of the darkest stones in our red agate tray. Measured across the whole face of the photograph, 91% of its surface reads as dark, and its average brightness is among the lowest of the eighteen. In the hand that means a red that looks close to black indoors and only opens up to a deep wine colour when you hold it towards a window or a lamp. If you want a stone that reads obviously red across a room, this is not that stone; if you want the sombre, almost-black aqeeq that a lot of buyers picture when they say surkh aqeeq, it is.

A small stone, and what that suits

Under five carats is a modest size, and that is a practical advantage rather than a shortcoming. It sits neatly in a slim silver band without standing proud of the finger, it does not catch on cuffs, and it costs a fraction of what the larger stones in this tray do. For a first aqeeq ring, or for someone who wants to wear a stone daily rather than keep it for occasions, this is the sensible end of the range.

Hardness, and why it matters for agate

Agate is chalcedony, a microcrystalline form of quartz, and sits at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. That is hard enough for a ring, but it is worth knowing exactly where the limit is: ordinary household dust contains quartz at about 7, so over years of wear a cabochon's polish can dull very slightly where it rubs. A wipe with a soft cloth and an occasional re-polish by a jeweller keeps it bright. It is also tougher than it is hard – chalcedony has no cleavage planes, so it resists chipping better than many harder stones.

What has not been tested

This stone has no laboratory report, and its treatment has not been tested. That matters more for red agate than for most stones, because red agate is often heated or dyed to deepen its colour, and the practice is routine rather than dishonest. We will not claim it is untreated when we have not had it checked. If the answer matters to you before you buy, tell us and we will arrange testing.

Care and ordering

Warm water, a mild soap and a soft cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam while the treatment is unknown, since heat and vibration can affect a dyed or filled stone. Keep it away from harsh household chemicals. 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 4.85 Carat. Its price is Rs. 3,400 — roughly Rs. 701 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-RE-0001 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.

Between two and six carats is the range most people choose for a gents' ring or a noticeable pendant. Here colour drives the price more than size does, which is why two stones of near-identical weight can be priced very differently.

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.