Garnet is one of the better coloured stones to put in a ring you intend to actually wear, and the reason is unglamorous: it is hard enough, it has no cleavage plane, and it is cheap enough that a knock is not a catastrophe. At just over nine carats this one fills a setting properly without becoming a ring you take off to do anything.

The stone

9.05 carats, which is 9.95 ratti. Rs. 10,130, about Rs. 1,119 per carat, reference GSN-GT-12. A faceted stone. One piece, as photographed.

Why garnet suits a ring

1. Hardness 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Above the hardness of ordinary airborne dust, which is the practical threshold for a stone that will not go cloudy from simply being worn.
2. No cleavage. It has no internal plane of weakness. A hard knock may chip an edge; it will not split the stone.
3. Chemically dull. Sweat, soap, perfume and chlorinated water leave it alone — which is more than can be said for turquoise or opal.
4. Honestly priced. At around Rs. 1,100 per carat, a substantial stone is affordable, and replacing one would not ruin your week.

What it looks like

Measured from the photograph, this stone reads 56 out of 255 in brightness, which places it in the middle of our darker group, and red leads the next strongest colour channel by 25 points. On the hand it reads as a deep red that opens up whenever light reaches it directly.

Setting advice

Claws or bezel both work — unlike softer stones, garnet does not need protecting from its own setting. If the stone is going in a ring you will wear daily, ask for an open back so light can enter from beneath; deeper garnets look considerably better that way. Set it cold, as you would any stone, and there is nothing else to worry about.

Treatment

Not tested, and the specification sheet records exactly that. Garnet is among the least-treated gemstones in the trade — there is no standard heat or diffusion process applied to it — but the test has not been run and we will not claim otherwise. Independent laboratory testing can be arranged before dispatch.

Care

Warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners if you can see inclusions in the stone, and store it apart from harder gems that could scratch it.

More

The garnet price guide covers the rates, the general price guide gives 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 9.05 Carat. Its price is Rs. 10,130 — roughly Rs. 1,119 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GSN-GT-12 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.