If you want a stone with some presence for a gents' ring, an 18.1 carat piece of banded agate is a sensible place to start. This one is a Sulemani agate, the stone many Pakistani buyers call Sulemani aqeeq, listed at Rs. 4,090.

What the numbers tell you

At about Rs. 226 per carat, the rate sits in the modest range you expect from agate, where the appeal lies in pattern and size rather than rarity. Hardness is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, so it handles daily knocks and a silver bezel setting without fuss, though a hard fall on tile can still chip an edge.

The one thing to ask about

Sulemani agate is sometimes dyed to deepen its banding, and a dyed stone can look more contrasty than it was when dug up. Message us on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 with reference GS-SU-0019 and we will tell you what we know about this particular piece. Independent lab testing can be arranged if you want it in writing.

When the parcel reaches you, look at the bands in daylight and tilt the stone slowly; sharp, even lines and a smooth polish are what you are checking for.

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 sulemani agate guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural sulemani agate with a weight of 18.1 Carat. Its price is Rs. 4,090 — roughly Rs. 226 for each carat. Origin: Pakistan. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-SU-0019 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 sulemani 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 sulemani 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 sulemani 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): Sulemani agate is sometimes dyed to sharpen its banding. 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.