52.90 carats — 58.13 ratti — at Rs. 7,950, about Rs. 150 per carat. The reference is GS-IR-0019. It is the largest stone in this category by a clear margin, and the best finished.

The banding

This is the piece that shows what tiger iron is supposed to look like. The whole face is striped from end to end: narrow red jasper bands, amber-brown layers, and fine dark hematite seams, all running parallel across the long axis of the stone and bending gently where the original layers were folded. 72% of its measurable colour falls in the red band and only 29% of the surface reads as near-neutral grey, so the striping is colour against colour rather than colour against dull metal. Brightness measures 80 out of 255.

At nearly 53 carats there is simply more room for the pattern to develop than on a small stone, and that is the honest reason the big pieces in this material cost what they do — not rarity so much as the fact that the pattern needs space to be seen.

The polish

A banded rock is hard to finish flat, because the soft iron-rich layers cut away faster than the quartz-rich ones and leave a faintly ridged surface. Across a face this large that is harder still, and this stone is level the whole way across: the highlight runs unbroken down the dome instead of stepping where the bands change.

Wearing it

This is a display stone first, a heavy pendant second, and a ring only for someone who really wants one. It needs a broad silver bezel, a strong bail and a chain that can carry the weight. The edges are the vulnerable part on any banded cabochon, so a bezel that covers the girdle is worth the extra metal.

Durability and care

About 7 on the Mohs scale through the jasper bands and softer through the iron-rich ones. A drop onto tile can chip a piece this large, so handle it over a soft surface. Warm water and a cloth for cleaning; never an ultrasonic cleaner.

We have not had it laboratory tested, so the treatment is recorded as "not tested" rather than untreated, and we hold no documented origin for it. We are glad to send more photographs or a video before you buy — message +92 308 887 3888. Smaller weights for comparison 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 explains what to check on a large banded stone.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural iron tiger eye with a weight of 52.9 Carat. Its price is Rs. 7,950 — roughly Rs. 150 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-IR-0019 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.