A natural yellow agate – zard aqeeq – of 8.40 carats, about 9.23 ratti, at Rs. 5,900 – roughly Rs. 702 per carat.

The most squarely cut stone here

This is a rectangular cabochon rather than an oval, and by measurement it is the most definite one in the tray. Its outline fills about 92% of its bounding box – the fullest of any stone in this category, where an oval fills 78.5% – and it fits a true rectangle better than any other stone here. Its bounding-box corners are genuinely occupied rather than rounded away.

It runs about 1.31 times as long as it is wide. A rectangular cabochon covers noticeably more finger per carat than an oval, sits flat and modern in a plain bezel, and needs a square-cornered mount rather than a stock oval cup.

The brightest lemon in the tray

Measured across the photograph, this stone's hue sits further towards lemon than any other stone in this category – the cleanest, coolest yellow of the group, with no orange cast and no warm zoning at all. If what you want is a flat, bright, even yellow rather than a honeyed or banded stone, this is the one in this tray.

Against silver that reads crisp and graphic. Against yellow gold it will sit closer in tone to the metal, which some people like and some do not; ask for a photograph beside both if it matters.

Dye, said plainly

Yellow agate is often dyed – this site's own disclosure for the stone, and on a colour as even and bright as this one it is the first thing to say rather than the last. Agate is porous enough to take dye readily and much of the vivid yellow agate sold anywhere has had help. Disclosed, that is a normal and old practice rather than a deception, and the colour is stable if the stone is treated sensibly.

The treatment of this stone has not been tested and there is no laboratory report. We will arrange independent testing on request.

Hardness and care

Agate is a chalcedony – quartz – at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, about as hard as the dust in ordinary air, so it holds its polish through daily wear. Protect the corners in the setting. Warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth; no solvents, no harsh cleaners, and keep it out of prolonged strong sunlight.

Ordering

One stone, sold once. Quote GS-YE-0005 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 8.4 Carat. Its price is Rs. 5,900 — roughly Rs. 702 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-YE-0005 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.