Hardness decides what you can do with a stone, so start there. Red agate sits at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, a little harder than a steel blade, which makes this 5.20 carat piece a sensible choice for a ring that will actually be worn.

Day to day, that means it shrugs off most scratches from keys and fabric, though a hard knock against a door frame can still chip an exposed edge. A silver setting with a slight rim around the stone gives it a margin of safety. For a pendant, the demands are lighter still.

The stone is a natural Surkh Aqeeq priced at Rs. 780, about Rs. 150 per carat. Red agate is often heated or dyed to strengthen its colour, so we suggest asking about this one; write to us at +92 308 887 3888 with the code GS-RE-0003.

Clean it with lukewarm water and a drop of mild soap, dry it with a soft cloth, and keep it in a pouch away from harder gems. More examples are listed under red agate.

Cash on Delivery is available across Pakistan, so you inspect the stone before paying, and returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery. Before you choose, read our red agate guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural red agate with a weight of 5.2 Carat. Its price is Rs. 780 — roughly Rs. 150 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.