spessartite garnet 5.71cts - 11x5mm

Spessartite was first found in Virginia during the mid 1800s. The initial colors where brownish and later in 1991 this stone were found in fiery orange colour with no brown in it and was started to use in jewelleries. 

Spessartite is a gem coloured by Manganese (which gives the orange colour) and iron (which gives reddish or brownish tint) depending on the oxidation state.  The chemical structure of Spessartite garnet is Mn2+3Al2 (SiO4)3. And so mostly they appear in brownish yellowish-orange, brownish orange, brown and orange-red hues. This gem is sometimes with the whisky-brown hessonite variety of grossularite garnet. The pure spessartine displays a relatively pure, bright orange colour or mandarin color. Spessartite garnets are not known to be enhanced. 

 The mandarin variety is most sought by collectors and is very valuable. The more intense the color the more valuable it is. The mandarin color has a sparkling nature and it shines like the sun. This variety is also called mandarin garnet in trade.  Basically it is said that Spessartite occurs in three tones- the soft hues and bright stones and the intense reddish orange stones that also come from Nigeria. Some fine varieties were also found in Ramona in California. Then there are the fabulous tangerine orange “mandarin” tones from Namibia.

A combination or the Spessartite garnet with the Pyrope variety is called Malaia/Malaya garnet. 

The specific gravity ranges from 4.12 to 4.18 and the refractive index range falls between 1.789 and 1.82. The hardness of this garnet on Mohs scale is 7 to 7.5. 

Garnets are basically the gemstone of January. The Spessartite garnets are a delight to use in jewellery and fashion jewellery. 

Garnet has a wide variety and the basic chemical components are calcium and  Aluminium and the presence of other elements cause different color tones. Garnets are present in magmatic and  metamorphic rocks in the earth's crest.

Almandine is an iron alumina garnet. It is known for its deep red tones with slight purple hues too. They are widely available in Srilanka.

Pyrope is iron and chromium rich variety with  deep red hue like Ruby. In greek it means fire or eye.

Mozambique garnet is a combination of Pyrope and almandine. It is originated from east Africa in Mozambique, hence the name. The colors are similar to rhodolite but tones are deeper.

Malaya/Malaia was discovered in Tanzania, near  Umba Valley. It has Vivid Hue with color ranges like red-orange, pink-orange, and Brownish red hues.

Grossular is a Calcium- aluminium rich mineral. It is available is yellows and yellowish -green colors.

Mali garnet is a combination of Andradite Grossular. It is also called as Grandite. 

Mali garnet was discovered in  the Sandaré Mine in Mali’s Kayes region. The range of colors are yellow, greenish yellow,yellowish brown, and brown.

Hydro Grossular garnet is bluish green, green in color. It is a calcium aluminium garnet with hydroxide (OH) replacing silica SiO4.

Leuco- Colorless variety of Grossular.

Uvarovite- chromium rich- vivid rich green.

Proteus- grey, metallic colors.

Garnets are a symbol of love, bravery and safety.

gempiece.com has a wide range of loose garnets and also deals with custom jewelry for more than a decade.

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