17.40 carats, which is 19.12 ratti, at Rs. 2,630 — about Rs. 151 per carat. The reference is GS-IR-0005. Among the smaller stones here this is the one with the best polish, and that is the reason to pick it.

What the photograph actually shows

It reads 85 out of 255 in brightness, which is the brightest measurement of any stone in this category, tied with one other. That is almost entirely down to the quality of the finish: the dome throws a single clean highlight rather than the scattered, broken reflections you see on a less careful polish. 64% of its measurable colour sits in the red band, and it is a deep wine red rather than brick. 51% of the surface measures near-neutral.

The banding on this one is subtle — it is more a single deep red body with darker edges than a strongly striped stone. If you want obvious stripes, the 36 and 40 carat pieces show them far better.

Why polish matters on this material

Tiger iron is made of layers with different hardnesses, which makes it genuinely difficult to finish flat. A lazy polish leaves the softer iron-rich bands very slightly recessed, so the surface feels faintly ridged under a fingernail and the shine breaks up along the bands. A good one, like this, reads as a single smooth dome.

Wearing it

At 17.40 carats with a strong finish, this is a stone for a ring where the shine is the point. A simple bezel in silver, nothing ornate — the polish does the work.

Durability and care

Roughly 7 on the Mohs scale through the quartz-rich layers, softer through the iron ones. The main risk to a well-polished piece is scratching, so keep it apart from other stones in storage and clean it with warm water and a soft cloth.

We have not had it tested, so the treatment is recorded as "not tested", and no origin is documented. Message +92 308 887 3888 with any questions. The wider range is 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 explains how to judge a polish by hand.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural iron tiger eye with a weight of 17.4 Carat. Its price is Rs. 2,630 — roughly Rs. 151 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-IR-0005 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.