This is the deepest-coloured garnet in our collection, and buying it loose is the sensible way round, because depth of colour is the one thing you want to judge with the stone in your own hand under your own light rather than from a photograph.

The stone

7.15 carats, which is 7.86 ratti. Rs. 8,400, about Rs. 1,175 per carat, reference GSN-GT-09. Supplied unset, exactly as photographed.

How deep, measured

Measured from the photograph, this stone reads 38 out of 255 in brightness — the lowest figure of any garnet we carry, where the rest of the dark group runs 41 to 61 and the lighter stones reach 99. It is, by that measure, the darkest stone in the range. Red leads the next strongest colour channel by 23 points, so the colour is red rather than brown, but it is red at the far end of the depth scale.

Whether that is what you want is a real question and not a rhetorical one. A stone this deep is dramatic in daylight and near-black indoors. If you want colour you can see in an evening room, one of our lighter garnets will serve you better, and we would rather say so now than have the parcel come back.

What to inspect on a loose stone

1. Hold it to a window. The stone should open into clear red when light gets through it. That is the test a photograph cannot do for you.
2. Look for a window in the cut. A pale, washed-out patch in the middle means light is passing straight through instead of bouncing back.
3. Check the girdle for chips. Easy to see loose, impossible once a bezel covers it.
4. Tilt it for brilliance. Garnet has good dispersion and should return sparks of light, not sit flat.

Treatment

Not tested, and the specification sheet records that plainly. Garnet is among the least-treated gemstones in the trade, with no routine heat or diffusion process behind its colour. Independent laboratory testing can be arranged before dispatch if you would like it.

Setting it later

Garnet rates 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage, so a setter has an easy job of it compared with softer stones. For a deeply coloured stone, ask for an open-backed setting — letting light in from behind is what makes a dark garnet come alive on the hand.

Care

Warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners if inclusions are visible, and store it away from harder stones.

More

The garnet price guide covers the rates, the real or fake guide covers imitations, and the collection page has the rest of the range, including the lighter stones.

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 7.15 Carat. Its price is Rs. 8,400 — roughly Rs. 1,175 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GSN-GT-09 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.

From six carats up a stone becomes the centre of attention. It wants a broader shank or a secure claw setting and suits an occasion ring, a signet or a centre pendant. Clean natural material of this size turns up far less often, and the per-carat rate reflects that.

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.