A natural yellow agate – zard aqeeq – of 4.80 carats, about 5.27 ratti, at Rs. 3,400 – roughly Rs. 708 per carat.

The truest oval of the twenty-two

"Oval cabochon" is written on almost every domed stone, so it is worth earning. Measured properly – by comparing this stone's width at every row against the width a true ellipse of the same proportions would have there – this is the closest of the stones in this category to a real ellipse.

It runs about 1.33 times as long as it is wide, with its outline filling about 80% of its bounding box against 78.5% for a perfect ellipse. In practice it drops straight into a standard oval mount, which on a small stone is most of what you want from the cut.

A clean lemon yellow

Measured across the photograph it is one of the deeper, more saturated stones in this category, and its hue sits towards the lemon end rather than the orange end – a bright, cool-leaning yellow rather than a honeyed one. Against silver that reads crisp; against yellow gold it merges a little, so silver is the better setting for this particular stone.

A note on the rate

At Rs. 708 per carat this is fractionally the dearest rate in the category, which runs from about Rs. 695 to Rs. 708. That is not a grade judgement – it is rounding on a small stone. Across all twenty-two stones here the rate is effectively flat at about Rs. 700, and you are choosing size and shape rather than quality tiers.

Dye, said plainly

Yellow agate is often dyed – that is this site's own disclosure, and it is the single most useful thing to know when buying yellow aqeeq. Agate takes colour readily and a great deal of the bright yellow material on the market has had help. Disclosed, that is normal rather than dishonest, and the colour is stable with sensible care.

What we cannot tell you is the answer for this particular stone: the treatment of this stone has not been tested and there is no laboratory report. Ask and we will arrange independent testing.

Hardness and care

At 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale agate is a quartz and about as hard as ordinary airborne dust, so it keeps its polish through daily wear, and a smooth dome has no edges to chip. Because the colour may be dye, keep it away from solvents, harsh cleaners and prolonged strong sunlight. Warm water, mild soap, a soft cloth.

Ordering

One stone, sold once. Quote GS-YE-0002 when you message us. Message us on WhatsApp for more photographs or a video, and we deliver across Pakistan.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural yellow agate with a weight of 4.8 Carat. Its price is Rs. 3,400 — roughly Rs. 708 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-YE-0002 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 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.