A natural yellow agate – zard aqeeq – of 8.35 carats, about 9.18 ratti, at Rs. 5,800 – roughly Rs. 695 per carat.

Why polish is most of the work on a cabochon

A faceted stone is sold on its cut. A cabochon has no facets to judge, so what you are actually buying is the quality of the dome and the polish on it. A well-finished surface gives a clean unbroken reflection across the whole dome; a tired one scatters light and the stone looks chalky no matter how good the colour underneath.

Measured across the photograph, this stone shows the deepest, most saturated colour of the nineteen described in this group, and the reflection running across its dome is unbroken. That combination – strong colour plus a proper polish – is what separates a good agate cabochon from a cheap one, and it is the whole reason to pay attention to finish on a stone like this.

Shape and markings

An oval cabochon, about 1.20 times as long as it is wide – broad rather than elongated – with its outline filling about 81% of its bounding box against 78.5% for a true ellipse.

It is not a single flat colour. Measured, about 17% of its face carries a distinctly warmer orange-red tone, concentrated around one edge, where the body of the stone is yellow. Banding and colour zoning are normal in agate and are part of what makes one stone different from the next.

Dye, said plainly

Yellow agate is often dyed. That is this site's own disclosure, and on a stone with colour this strong it deserves saying first rather than last. Agate takes colour readily and much of the vivid yellow material on the market has had help; disclosed, that is normal practice rather than deception, and the colour is stable with sensible care.

The treatment of this stone has not been tested and there is no laboratory report. If the answer matters to you, ask us and we will arrange independent testing before you commit.

Hardness and care

6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale – a quartz, about as hard as ordinary airborne dust, which is why agate keeps its polish where softer stones dull. On this stone the polish is the thing worth keeping: warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth, and nothing abrasive. Because the colour may be dye, keep it away from solvents, harsh cleaners and prolonged strong sunlight.

Ordering

One stone, sold once. Quote GS-YE-0004 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 8.35 Carat. Its price is Rs. 5,800 — roughly Rs. 695 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-YE-0004 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.

From six carats up a stone becomes the centre of attention. It wants a broader shank or a secure claw setting and suits an occasion ring, a signet or a centre pendant. Clean natural material of this size turns up far less often, and the per-carat rate reflects that.

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.