40.55 carats — 44.56 ratti — at Rs. 6,080, about Rs. 150 per carat. The reference is GS-IR-0014.

The most strongly coloured stone in the category

Two measurements make the case. Its saturation reads 49%, the highest of any stone here, and only 15% of its surface measures as near-neutral grey, which is the lowest proportion in the category. Put plainly: less of this stone is dull metal and more of it is colour than on anything else we have. 77% of its measurable colour sits in the red band, and brightness reads 73 out of 255.

What that looks like in the hand is a dome covered almost edge to edge in deep red and amber banding, with the dark seams reduced to thin lines between them rather than broad grey areas.

The polish

Tiger iron is awkward to finish because its layers differ in hardness — the soft iron-rich bands give way faster under the wheel than the quartz-rich ones, and a hurried polish leaves the surface very slightly corrugated. Run a fingernail across a bad one and you can feel the bands. This stone is finished flat across the whole dome, so the highlight travels smoothly instead of breaking up where the layers change.

Wearing it

At just over 40 carats this is a display stone or a substantial pendant, and a bold ring only on a large hand. A wide bezel in plain silver, and a stout chain if it goes round the neck.

Durability and care

About 7 on the Mohs scale through the jasper bands, softer through the iron-rich ones, so the finish ages unevenly over many years. Warm water and a soft cloth. Keep it out of ultrasonic cleaners, which attack the junctions between layers.

We have not had this stone tested, so its treatment is recorded as "not tested" rather than untreated, and no origin is documented for it. Message +92 308 887 3888 for anything further. 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 explains how to judge a polish by hand.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural iron tiger eye with a weight of 40.55 Carat. Its price is Rs. 6,080 — roughly Rs. 150 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-IR-0014 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.