18.50 carats — 20.33 ratti — at Rs. 2,780, which is about Rs. 150 per carat, the lower rate in this category. The reference is GS-IR-0006.

What the photograph actually shows

At 54 out of 255 in brightness this is the darkest stone on the page. 34% of its measurable colour is in the red band and 73% of the surface reads as near-neutral grey, so the proportions are weighted firmly towards the iron layers. In practice it looks near-black indoors, and opens up into dark red and blue-steel bands when you take it to a window or put a lamp on it.

Why this size works on a hand

Between about 15 and 20 carats is the range where a cabochon fills a man's ring properly without becoming awkward. Below it the stone starts to look lost in a heavy silver mount; much above it and the ring begins to catch on cuffs and door handles. At 18.50 carats this sits in the middle of that useful band, and the dark colouring keeps it looking restrained rather than showy.

Setting advice

A bezel rather than claws. On a layered stone the girdle is the weak point, and a bezel covers it; claws concentrate pressure exactly where the layers meet. Oxidised or antiqued silver suits a stone this dark better than a high polish, which tends to make it look flat by comparison.

Durability and care

The silica-rich bands run to about 7 on the Mohs scale and the iron-rich bands are softer, so the polish will dull along the metallic layers before it does anywhere else. Warm water, soft cloth, no ultrasonic cleaner, and off the hand for heavy work.

No testing has been carried out on this stone, so its treatment is recorded as "not tested" rather than untreated, and we hold no documented origin for it. Message +92 308 887 3888 if you want more detail. The rest of the 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 covers sizing a cabochon to a hand.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural iron tiger eye with a weight of 18.5 Carat. Its price is Rs. 2,780 — roughly Rs. 150 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-IR-0006 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.