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| <<Back to Main | ApatiteApatite | Aquamarine and BerylsAquamarine and Beryls | ChrysoberylChrysoberyl | Crystal CollectionsCrystal Collections | DanburiteDanburite | DiopsideDiopside | EnstatiteEnstatite | Feldspar and MoonstonesFeldspar and Moonstones | FluoriteFluorite | GarnetGarnet | Gemstones in matrixGemstones in matrix | Lapis LazuliLapis Lazuli | PegmatitePegmatite | PeridotPeridot | PetalitePetalite | PhenakitePhenakite | Pyrite, Hematite and Iron OresPyrite, Hematite and Iron Ores | Quartz Family: Amethyst, Citrine, Agate...Quartz Family: Amethyst, Citrine, Agate... | Rare Burmese SpecimensRare Burmese Specimens | RubyRuby | SapphireSapphire | ScapoliteScapolite | Sillimanite or FibroliteSillimanite or Fibrolite | SpinelSpinel | TopazTopaz | TourmalineTourmaline | ZirconZircon | Other Fine CrystalsOther Fine Crystals | | Our Top Garnet Highlight | Garnet | | The word Garnet is derived from a Latin word meaning grain, as the rounded physical appearance of its crystals looks like red-kernels of a pomegranate. Garnets to a layman have never meant anything more than cheap red colored stones, though it is not true.
Garnet is a family of minerals of various kinds, where the different kinds share similar crystal habits and some similarities in chemical composition i.e. (SiO4). They crystallize in the cubic form and hence are S.R. (ADR) stones. Their specific gravity and refractive index can vary very widely due to its type and amount of inter-mixing. The most reliable test is Spectroscopy as all different elements have different absorption lines.
The two sub-groups of garnets are :
Pyralspites : Aluminum is an integral part of the chemical composition in this group, due to a lot of mixing between its individual members the properties are more variable in this group. The three main types are:
1. Pyrope - This dark red colored stone was in vogue back in the 18th & 19th centuries, looks similar to ruby or spinel but does not have a good luster like them. It is found in various locations such as Burma, China, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tanzania, U.S.A., and etc.
2. Almandite - Its red color has a tint of violet, looks like pyrope garnet and can imitate lot of red stones, found in many places like Brazil, India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, U.S.A., and more recently from Czech Republic and Austria.
3. Spessartite - This Orange to red-brown colored stone get its name from the word “Spessart” meaning forest. Deposits are found in parts of Burma, Brazil, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and U.S.A., though the best quality is from Namibia (Mandarin Spessartite). In some cases it can be confused for Andalusite, Chrysoberyl, Fire Opal, Hessonite, Sphene or Topaz. Ugrandites:
This group containing Calcium as a basic part of its chemical composition, they keep their own individuality and do not intermix a lot in nature hence showing fairly consistent properties.
1. Grossular - Found in various shades of green, yellow, brown to colorless in nature has four main types. Hessonite is the brown red variety found in Sri Lanka, Brazil, India, and Canada. A green colored (emerald look-a-like) garnet called Tsavorite was found in early 1970's in Kenya, and Tanzania. The colorless Leuco Garnets are found mainly in Canada, Mexico, and Tanzania. Hydrogrossular or the falsely called "Transvaal Jade" or "Garnet Jade" is an opaque greenish variety found in South Africa, Burma, and Zambia.
2. Andradite - Dermatoid is un-disputably the most valuable garnet found, as the name suggests it has a lusture like a diamond and has the color of an emerald. Its unique horsetail inclusion can also add to its price as its quiet a collector’s item. It is found mainly in China, Korea, Russia, and U.S.A. Melanite is a blackish variety found in Germany, France, and Italy, mainly used for mourning jewelry. Topazolite is a light yellow topaz-like stone found in the Alps of Italy & Switzerland, and parts of California.
3. Uvarovite - This green colored stone very rarely comes in gem quality and can be confused for a dementoid or emerald. Deposits are found in Finland, India, Canada, Poland, and the Urals (Russia).
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