gemstones / Garnet

Garnets comprise a range of minerals, which include not only the bright red gemstones we are most familiar with but yellow, orange and green examples of notable value as well. Pyrope This stone is normally a vivid red but can also be brick or dark red. The stones can be of perfect transparency, thought this is less evident in darker coloured stones. They are normally cut in cabochon or facetted with oval or round mixed cut. Occasionally table or step cuts are used. The most highly-prized stones are transparent, vivid red. Rhodolite The reddish pink colour is the most distinctive feature of this stone. The gems have a high transparency and are nearly always faceted, mainly using a mixed cut. As with the majority of garnets which display good transparency, the brilliance of these stones are considerable. They are found mainly in the USA, Zimbawe, Tanzania and Sri Lanka. This type of red garnet is one of the most highly prized and is more valuable than the pyrope and the almandine.