17 carats — 18.68 ratti — at Rs. 3,600, about Rs. 212 per carat. The reference is GS-IR-0004.

What the photograph actually shows

We should be straightforward about this stone. Measured off its photograph, 0% of its colour falls in the red band: there is no jasper red showing on the face at all. 83% of the surface measures as near-neutral grey, the highest proportion on this page bar one, and the brightness reads 71 out of 255. What you are looking at is the hematite-dominated end of tiger iron — a dark, slightly blue-toned, metallic stone with faint layering visible when the light moves across it.

So is it still tiger iron?

Yes, but the plain version of it. The rock is defined by its layers, not by any one colour, and pieces cut from a hematite-rich seam look like this. We have left it in this category because that is what it is, and we would rather explain the difference than photograph it warmer than it is or file it somewhere flattering.

Wearing it

Seventeen carats in a near-black, metallic stone makes a restrained men's ring — closer in feel to hematite than to the banded red pieces. It takes a plain, heavy silver bezel well. If what you want is colour, this is not the stone; if you want something dark and quiet that still has depth in it, it is.

Durability and care

Hematite-rich layers are softer than the quartz ones, so a piece weighted this far towards iron is a little more vulnerable than the banded stones higher up the page. Keep it off hard surfaces, clean it with a soft dry cloth, and skip the ultrasonic cleaner entirely.

This stone has not been tested, so the treatment line reads "not tested", and no origin is documented for it. We are happy to answer questions on +92 308 887 3888. The brighter, banded pieces 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 is worth reading first if you expected red and gold.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural iron tiger eye with a weight of 17 Carat. Its price is Rs. 3,600 — roughly Rs. 212 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-IR-0004 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.