Small, black and very affordable, this 3.70 carat Kala Aqeeq is an easy first stone. Here is what to expect and what to check.

• Size: 3.70 carats, suited to a slim silver band or a ladies' ring.
• Colour: black. Black agate is dyed as standard practice, so a deep, even tone is normal, not a warning sign.
• Hardness: 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, enough for daily wear.
• On arrival: look for an even tone in daylight and a smooth surface with no chips at the edge.

Many people in Pakistan traditionally wear black agate as a protective stone. That is a belief handed down, not a promise from us.

A slim silver band shows the stone without crowding it, and the whole piece stays light on the finger. Quote AG-BL-0001 on WhatsApp if you have questions, and see the full black agate range for larger sizes. Before you choose, read our black agate guide.

We deliver Cash on Delivery, so you open the parcel before paying. Karachi typically takes 1–2 working days, other cities 2–4, and returns are accepted within 7 days.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural black agate with a weight of 3.7 Carat. Its price is Rs. 600 — roughly Rs. 162 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-BL-0001 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 black 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 black 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 black agate for those three points before it is listed, 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. No lab report yet; independent testing welcome. As general background (not a statement about this stone): Black agate is almost always dyed — it is standard for the stone. 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.