Dark red is what most people picture when they hear garnet, and it is worth understanding what produces it. The colour is not a surface tint but the full depth of the stone absorbing light; a garnet of this saturation only opens up when light gets behind it. Held still it reads close to black at the edges. Tilted towards a lamp it shows a clear, deep red through the middle.

The stone

13.25 carats, which is 14.56 ratti. Rs. 13,130, about Rs. 991 per carat, reference GSN-GT-21. One of the largest garnets we list. One piece, as photographed.

What "dark red" means here, measured

We measured the photograph instead of reaching for adjectives. This stone reads 53 out of 255 in brightness. For comparison, the lighter garnets in our range measure 97 to 99 — nearly twice as bright — and the darkest stone we carry measures 38. So this one sits firmly in the dark half without being the extreme. Red leads the next strongest colour channel by 31 points, confirming the colour is genuinely red rather than a warm brown.

What makes a dark garnet a good one

1. It still opens. A good dark garnet shows clear red when light reaches it. One that stays flat and lifeless under a lamp is simply over-dark, and worth less.
2. The cut works with the depth. Deeply coloured material wants a shallower cut so light can get through. Cutting it deep to save weight kills it.
3. No brown cast. Measured red lead is what separates a genuinely red stone from a brownish one that photographs warm.
4. Size. Dark colour reads better at larger sizes, where there is enough stone to show the depth.

Treatment

Not tested, and our specification sheet says so rather than implying anything better. Garnet is one of the least-treated gems in the trade; there is no standard heat or diffusion process applied to it, and nothing is routinely done to deepen the colour. If you want that confirmed, independent laboratory testing can be arranged before dispatch.

Durability

Garnet rates 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale and has no cleavage plane, so it takes everyday wear well. Warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners where inclusions are visible.

More

The garnet price guide explains the rates, the general price guide gives the wider context, and the collection page has the rest of the range.

Ordering

One piece only. Flat Rs. 500 delivery anywhere in Pakistan by insured, tracked courier, dispatched in one to two working days. Cash on Delivery — open the parcel and look at the stone before you pay — and seven days to return it unused. Dimensions have not been recorded; message us on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure it.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural garnet with a weight of 13.25 Carat. Its price is Rs. 13,130 — roughly Rs. 991 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GSN-GT-21 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 garnet rates 7 to 7.5. 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 garnet 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 garnet 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): Garnet 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.