Garnet
What is garnet?
Often known for its red colour, which is fitting, as Garnet is derived from the Latin for pomegranate seeds (granatum-granum). However, garnet can be seen in many other colours: yellow, orange, brown and green.
Garnet is a group of silicate (silicon and oxygen) minerals. They have similar crystal structures but due to different additional elements, many varieties exist. In fact, there are 15 varieties in the garnet family, but only six of them produce gem-quality material.
What colour is garnet?
Most are familiar with the deep red to deep reddish-brown colour, predominated by pyrope garnet, rich in magnesium, and almandine garnet, rich in iron. However, garnet comes in many other colours, such as Tsavorite garnet (green), containing vanadium or chromium, and Spessartine garnet (orange), containing manganese.
Some have combinations of additional elements, such as the Rhodolite garnet (red-pink-purplish), containing magnesium and iron.
Some garnets can exhibit asterism, a star shape of reflected light from needle-like inclusions within the garnet. These can be highly prized by collectors.
Although fine examples of each variety will command a high price, Tsavorite garnet more so, because of its rarity and vibrant colour.
Where do garnets come from?
Garnets are readily mined in many parts of the world, including India, South Africa, Tanzania and Madagascar.