In this article
Written by Sameer
Reviewed on
In Pakistan we call moss agate shajri aqeeq. It is translucent chalcedony carrying mineral growths that look like moss, ferns or little trees. Put two stones of the same weight side by side and the prices can be miles apart, and the reason is nearly always the picture inside, not the carats. Here is how to read that picture for yourself.
You are buying the picture
When dealers grade moss agate, these are the four things they check:
- Background. The chalcedony should be clear or softly milky. A cloudy, grey or cracked background smothers the pattern.
- The growth. Sharp, well-formed branches in green, brown or black rate higher than blurry smudges. Scenes that look like trees, with a feeling of depth, are the most sought after.
- Composition. A pattern that fills the stone evenly, with no big empty gap and no crowded corner, looks far better once set.
- Contrast. Hold it up to the light. The moss should stand out cleanly against the background.
The cutter can make or spoil it
Moss agate is almost always cut as a cabochon or a flat slab. A good cutter puts the best bit of the pattern right in the middle of the dome and keeps the stone thin enough for light to come through. Check for a symmetrical outline and a glassy polish, with no dips from undercutting and no chips round the girdle.
Is the pattern real?
The main fakes are painted surfaces and resin-filled agate. Natural moss is irregular, never repeats itself exactly, and sits inside the stone at different depths. Paint stays on the surface and can show something like brush strokes. Resin fills look like soft, slightly sunken patches under a loupe. Ask the seller to confirm in writing that the stone is natural and whether anything has been done to it.
How it wears
At 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, moss agate is comfortable in a ring worn every day. A sharp knock on a thin edge can chip it, though, so a bezel setting makes sense for a ring you never take off.
Price
Since the pattern decides the value, we price each moss agate on its own merits instead of putting one rate on the whole category.
Tradition
Aqeeq has a long history right across the Muslim world, and shajri aqeeq in particular is traditionally worn for steadiness and gradual growth. We pass that on as belief, not as a promise. If you are buying for astrological reasons, settle the weight, metal and finger with your astrologer first; our rashi guide lists the usual pairings.
Last checks before you pay
Make sure the stone is natural, that any treatment is written down, and that the weight given is for the finished stone. We check every piece and photograph each one by itself, so you can judge the pattern from the listing. Browse moss agate, or have a look at red coral and yellow sapphire. Local names are on our Urdu-English gem names page. Cash on Delivery covers Karachi first, usually in 1 to 2 working days, then Lahore and every other city.
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