A 15.10 carat tiger iron — 16.59 ratti — at Rs. 3,380, which works out at about Rs. 224 per carat. The reference is GS-IR-0002.

What the photograph actually shows

Measured off the picture, this stone reads 57 out of 255 in brightness. That is dark, and it is worth being plain about what that means in the hand: this is not one of the bright red-and-gold pieces further up the category, it is a deep, close-toned stone that rewards direct light. Of its measurable colour, 47% falls in the red band, while 70% of the surface is close to neutral grey. The banding runs as narrow dark-red lines through steel, and it is visible rather than dramatic.

What tiger iron is

The rock forms where iron-rich sediments and silica were laid down together and later folded, which is why the bands in a good piece are rarely straight. Those irregular, slightly wandering bands are one of the more reliable signs that a stone is natural; pressed or reconstituted imitations tend to show stripes that are too even and too parallel to be true.

Wearing it

Fifteen carats is a practical men's ring size — big enough to read as a proper stone across the hand, small enough not to catch on everything. A plain silver bezel suits its dark colouring better than anything ornate, and it will look considerably better on the hand than it does on a screen, which is usually the way with the darker pieces.

Durability and care

Expect about 7 on the Mohs scale through the quartz layers and less through the iron-rich ones. That difference is the whole care story: wipe it with a soft cloth, keep it out of ultrasonic cleaners, and take it off for heavy work so the banded edges are not chipped.

This stone has not been tested, so we record its treatment as "not tested" rather than calling it untreated, and we hold no documented origin for it. Ask us on +92 308 887 3888 if you want the detail. Comparable weights are in the iron tiger eye category.

Cash on Delivery is available across Pakistan, so you inspect the stone before paying, and returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery. Our buying guide covers how to judge banding before you commit.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural iron tiger eye with a weight of 15.1 Carat. Its price is Rs. 3,380 — roughly Rs. 224 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-IR-0002 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 iron tiger eye rates 7. It handles daily wear, but a hard knock can still nick an exposed corner, so a protective setting is a sensible choice. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, and keep it away from abrasive cleaners and high heat.

Whoever you buy iron tiger eye 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 iron tiger eye 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): Iron tiger eye is usually untreated. 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.