Yellow aqeeq is the colour that divides buyers. Some want it because it is the rarest of the common agate colours to find in genuinely natural material; others avoid it for exactly that reason, because so much yellow on the market has been helped along. Both reactions are reasonable, and this page is about telling the difference.

The stone

30.85 carats, which is 33.90 ratti. Natural yellow agate. Rs. 21,600, about Rs. 700 per carat, reference GS-YE-0022. This is the largest yellow agate we currently list.

Where yellow agate gets its colour

From iron, in a different oxidation state than the iron that makes red carnelian. Natural yellow chalcedony runs from a pale honey through to a deeper amber-gold, and it almost always carries some variation — a little banding, a shift in depth across the face, a slightly cloudier patch. That unevenness is the signature of the real thing.

How to spot a dyed yellow

• Uniformity. A yellow that is identical across every square millimetre is the first warning. Nature rarely does flat.
• Colour in the cracks. Dye concentrates in surface fissures, leaving darker lines. Look at the stone under a bright light with a loupe.
• A stopping line. Turn it over. If the colour ends abruptly near the base rather than carrying through, it was applied.
• Too bright. Neon or lemon yellows are not a natural chalcedony colour. Honey, amber and gold are.

Our honest position on the stone type: yellow agate is often dyed, and the specification sheet on this listing says that rather than claiming the stone is untreated. Our yellow agate pricing guide explains how natural colour and finish feed into what you pay, and the dyed and glass aqeeq guide covers the checks.

Can I get it tested?

Yes, and on a yellow stone it is worth considering. A laboratory can usually detect dye in chalcedony. We can arrange independent testing on request. There is no laboratory report for this stone. Since you pay the rider on delivery, you can also take it to a laboratory of your own choosing inside the seven-day return window.

What suits yellow aqeeq?

It is warmer than red and sits well in both oxidised and bright 925 silver, and unusually for this family it also works in yellow gold. At 30.85 carats this is a large statement ring on a broad shank, or a substantial pendant. Shape and measurements have not been recorded — ask on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure it.

Durability

Agate is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage — fine for daily wear. Warm soapy water and a soft brush; no bleach and no ultrasonic cleaner.

Ordering

One piece only. Flat Rs. 500 delivery anywhere in Pakistan, insured and tracked, dispatched in one to two working days. Cash on Delivery, seven days to return it unused. Compare shades in the yellow agate collection.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural yellow agate with a weight of 30.85 Carat. Its price is Rs. 21,600 — roughly Rs. 700 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-YE-0022 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 yellow 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 yellow 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 yellow 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): Yellow agate is often dyed. 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.