A natural red aqeeq of 5.20 carats, about 5.71 ratti, at Rs. 3,600 – roughly Rs. 692 per carat, which is the lowest rate among the smaller stones in this tray. It is an oval cabochon.

What "original" can and cannot mean

It is the word every aqeeq buyer in Pakistan asks for, so it is worth being exact about what we mean by it. Original here means natural chalcedony – a real agate, not glass, not plastic, not a pressed composite. That much we stand behind.

It does not mean untreated, and it does not mean laboratory-certified. Those are separate questions, and on this stone both are open: there is no lab report, and the treatment has not been tested. Red agate is often heated or dyed, which deepens the colour of pale material. Anyone who tells you a red agate is certainly undyed without a report in their hand is guessing.

Telling agate from glass

Since "original" is usually a worry about imitation rather than about treatment, here is what actually distinguishes them. Glass warms quickly in the hand and stays warm; agate feels cool and takes longer to warm. Glass often carries round bubbles or swirl marks visible with a loupe; agate shows faint parallel banding or a slightly uneven internal texture. Glass chips with a sharp conchoidal edge; agate is tougher. None of this is conclusive on its own, which is why testing exists.

Hardness and wear

At Mohs 6.5 to 7, agate is a practical ring stone. It has no cleavage planes, so it takes knocks well. Its polish can soften over years of daily wear because household dust is roughly as hard as it is, but a jeweller restores that easily.

Care and ordering

Warm water, mild soap, a soft cloth. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaning while the treatment is unknown, and keep it away from bleach and strong household cleaners. One stone, sold once. Message us on WhatsApp for further photographs, and we deliver across Pakistan.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural red agate with a weight of 5.2 Carat. Its price is Rs. 3,600 — roughly Rs. 692 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-RE-0003 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.

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.