Garnet
Hardness: 7-7.5 Mohs
Enhancement Code: Natural
Quality Information:
AA: Medium to dark red to orange brown; eye clean; good cut
Care: Rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
Major Sources: Africa
With a warm, rich red colour, Mozambique garnets can set fire to any jewelry design. Not surprisingly, Mozambique is the source for this deep red form of garnet, the birthstone for January. Popular for its wine-red colour, garnet is also used to celebrate second wedding anniversaries.
The state mineral of Connecticut and gemstone of New York, garnet is a naturally beautiful gem, requires no treatments and is hardy enough for everyday wear. It may be surprising to know that garnets come in a variety of colours, but red stones remain the most popular.
Rhodolite Garnet
Hardness: 7-7.5 Mohs
Enhancement Code: Natural
Quality Information:
AA: Medium to dark raspberry to plum; eye clean; good cut
SWAROVSKI GEMS™ Pink Rose Fine: Light to medium colour; minimal eye-visible inclusions
SWAROVSKI GEMS™ Raspberry Fine: Medium to dark colour; minimal eye-visible inclusions
Care: Rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
Major Sources: East Africa, India, Sri Lanka
The velvety red with tones of raspberry that defines rhodolite garnet is highlighted by its impressive brilliance. Favored since Egyptian times, garnets appear in stories and legends throughout history. Rhodolite garnet are somewhat lighter in hue than other garnets and have a similar impact to fine rubies, without the accompanying high price.
Although reasonably priced, rhodolite garnets still shine in stunning jewelry creations. In 1996, a brooch from the estate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassissold for $145,000.
Spessartite Garnet
Hardness: 7-7.5 Mohs
Enhancement Code: Natural
Quality Information:
AA: Medium to yellowish orange; very slightly included; good cut
Care: Rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
Major Sources: Australia, Brazil, East Africa, India, Israel, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
With colours of a tropical sunset, spessartite is a relative newcomer to the jewelry world. Often called mandarin garnet, this attractive gemstone was once so rare it was available only to collectors. Discoveries of new sources brought this fiery beauty to the market in the 1990s, and it quickly became a star with designers. With its standout orange colour and brilliance, the popularity of spessartite will no doubt shine on.
Tsavorite Garnet
Hardness: 7-7.5 Mohs
Enhancement Code: Natural
Quality Information:
AA: Light to medium yellowish green, excellent colour; eye clean; excellent polish
Care: Rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
Major Sources: Brazil, East Africa, India, Sri Lanka
Tsavorite is a beautiful example of how not all garnets are red. Ranging from a light, verdant green to rich deep forest, tsavorite was discovered in 1967 in Tanzania. Enthusiastically promoted by Tiffany & Co., it was Tiffany’s president, Sir Henry Platt, who suggested the name tsavorite, in honor of Tsavo National Park in Kenya.
Although still relatively rare, especially in larger sizes, a whopping 925 carat crystal was unearthed in 2006 and produced a cut jewel of 325 carats. Happily, the brilliance and vivid colour of tsavorite shines brightly in smaller sizes as well.
