Brown aqeeq does not get marketed the way red does, which is exactly why it is worth a look. The deep brownish reds are the shades carnelian actually occurs in most often; the bright, flat, uniform reds that fill marketplace listings are frequently the dyed ones. A stone that sits honestly between brown and red is usually telling you something true about itself.

The stone

13.60 carats, which is 14.95 ratti. Recorded body colour: deep brownish red. Origin: Yemen. Rs. 9,500, about Rs. 699 per carat, reference GS-00028. One piece, photographed as it is.

Why brown is a useful sign

Carnelian gets its colour from iron oxide spread through chalcedony. In nature that produces warm oranges, reddish browns and deep brick tones, usually with some variation across the stone. Commercial dyeing aims at the opposite: a single saturated red, flat and even across the whole face, because that is what sells fastest in a photograph. So a brownish stone with visible depth and variation is, as a rule, less likely to have been pushed.

That is a rule of thumb, not proof. Our specification sheet for this stone says agate is often heated or dyed and that treatment has not been tested here — we would rather state that than turn a rule of thumb into a guarantee. The real checks are in our guide to spotting dyed and glass aqeeq.

What brown suits

• Oxidised silver. Darkened 925 silver and a brown-red stone is a quieter version of the classic aqeeq ring, and it ages well.
• Daily wear. It does not shout, so it works with everything and does not look out of place at work.
• Older hands and heavier bands. A deep, warm tone carries a broad shank better than a bright red does.

Is this the same stone as red aqeeq?

Yes — same mineral, same family, different iron content. Carnelian, aqeeq and agate all describe chalcedony quartz; the names shift with colour and with where you are standing. Our Urdu and English gemstone name list matches up the terms.

Yemeni origin

Origin for this stone is recorded as Yemen. Origin is the hardest claim to verify in any gemstone, so take that as what our records say rather than as a laboratory finding — and note that independent testing can be arranged if it matters to you. Our aqeeq price guide explains how a stated origin feeds into the rate.

Size and setting

13.60 carats is a modest, comfortable men's ring stone — noticeable without standing high off the finger. Shape and measurements have not been recorded; message us on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure it.

Care and ordering

Agate is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Warm soapy water and a soft brush; no bleach, no ultrasonic cleaner. 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. The other Yemeni stones are in the aqeeq collection.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural aqeeq with a weight of 13.6 Carat. Its price is Rs. 9,500 — roughly Rs. 699 for each carat. Origin: Yemen. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-00028 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 aqeeq 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 aqeeq 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 aqeeq 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): Agate (aqeeq) is often heated or dyed to deepen its colour. 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.