GORGEOUS RARE GARNET
CRESCENDO GARNET EARRINGS
Although the name garnet likely brings to mind a deep, red wine-color, it’s actually a family of gems that vary widely in appearance. Garnets share a common crystal formation and other properties, but within the group, slight differences in chemical composition result in a variety of remarkable colors. All garnets can be classified by their component minerals into either calcium or aluminum groups and then further sorted into species. Garnet specimens suitable for jewelry in these unusual and vibrant colors are uncommon and highly valued.
GORGEOUS RARE GARNET
CRESCENDO GARNET EARRINGS
Although the name garnet likely brings to mind a deep, red wine-color, it’s actually a family of gems that vary widely in appearance. Garnets share a common crystal formation and other properties, but within the group, slight differences in chemical composition result in a variety of remarkable colors. All garnets can be classified by their component minerals into either calcium or aluminum groups and then further sorted into species. Garnet specimens suitable for jewelry in these unusual and vibrant colors are uncommon and highly valued.
“Quote from Adam regarding rare garnet.”
-Adam Neeley
Garnet History & Lore
Garnets have a storied past, rich with myth and significance. Pharaohs and other nobles of ancient Egypt chose to be adorned with garnets for burial, ensuring the deceased an opulent afterlife. In ancient Rome, garnets held special and highly personal meaning as the gem carved for signet rings which were used in the signature seals protecting private documents. According to religious texts, garnet is a gift fit for a king. It is believed that King Solomon received four precious gems directly from God, including a garnet. Perhaps that’s why this stunning gem was so prized by the clergy and royals through the middle ages.
Garnet History & Lore
Garnets have a storied past, rich with myth and significance. Pharaohs and other nobles of ancient Egypt chose to be adorned with garnets for burial, ensuring the deceased an opulent afterlife. In ancient Rome, garnets held special and highly personal meaning as the gem carved for signet rings which were used in the signature seals protecting private documents. According to religious texts, garnet is a gift fit for a king. It is believed that King Solomon received four precious gems directly from God, including a garnet. Perhaps that’s why this stunning gem was so prized by the clergy and royals through the middle ages.
Rare Garnet Origins
In recent years, new finds of rare colored garnets have thrilled gem lovers and jewelers alike. One find in particular gave us luscious purple garnets of Mozambique. The material first appeared in Bangkok gem markets in 2016. As the supply of this exceptional find dwindled, the value and rarity of top quality, larger material has increased substantially.
As a rich source of vivid green tsavorite garnet, Kenya’s Scorpion Mine, lay untouched for half a decade after the murder of its proprietor Campbell Bridges, but since 2015, operations have resumed and the output is more exciting than ever. There are also strong deposits found in Tanzania and East Africa.
Mandarin garnet, of the orange spessartite species, is a flashy gem initially discovered along the Kunene River in Namibia. The vivid raw crystals had lain undiscovered due to the areas remote location and punishing desert climate. This small but spectacular find whet the gem market’s appetite for this striking gemstone. Luckily another, similar source of bright orange spessartite appeared in Nigeria shortly thereafter.
The Umba River Valley in Tanzania has recently produced stunning garnets of exquisite quality. These garnets display luscious tones of red and purple without a brown secondary color.
Rare Garnet in Extraordinary Colors
Whether purple, green, red, or orange, the extraordinary colors of rare garnets inspire, exuding confidence and a sense of joie de vivre.
Rare Garnet in Extraordinary Colors
Whether purple, green, red, or orange, the extraordinary colors of rare garnets inspire, exuding confidence and a sense of joie de vivre.
Garnet specimens shown below were cut by Stephan M. Avery
Red Pyrope-Almandine Garnet
Originating from the Umba River Valley.
A stunning example of this rare garnet in jewelry is Le Tourbillon ring, which dazzles with a red pyrope-almandine garnet, cut by Stephen Avery and accented with pavé set diamonds in white and yellow gold.
Purple Pyrope-Almandine Garnet
From Mozambique.
Iris Ring flaunts a stunning example of this special garnet type. Vibrant colors combine in a stunning design, which showcases a 5.03 ct purple pyrope-almandine garnet cut by award-winning lapidary Stephen Avery accented with green tsavorite garnets and diamonds set in 14kt white gold.
Spessartite Garnet
Originating from Nigeria.
Spessartite garnet shines from the sweet and stylish Honey Ring. This design features a 9.18 carat cabochon cut spessartite garnet, semi-encircled by 1.15 carat total weight spessartite garnet, pavé set in a field of yellow gold and curvaceous shank of white gold.
Malaya Garnet
From East Africa
Tsavorite Garnet
From Tanzania.
