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A gemologist should look for telltale signs of hydrothermal growth, including seed plates.įor other synthetic garnet varieties, consult the 'Synthetics' section of the main garnet gem listing. Synthetic almandines have appeared on the gem market. Via the hydrothermal method, geologists have manufactured pure synthetic almandine crystals as well as almandine-pyrope blends. Are There Any Synthetic Almandine Garnets? Three almandine cabochons, locality India, on display at the Mineralogical Museum, Bonn, Germany.

Absorption SpectrumĪlmandines have a distinctive, diagnostic absorption spectrum:Ĭrystals of minerals such as apatite, ilmenite, spinel, monazite, biotite, and quartz. Each crystal measures approximately 8 mm across. Almandine garnets from the Cretaceous, Garnet Ledge, Alaska, USA. Identifying CharacteristicsĪn analysis of RI, hue, and SG can help distinguish almandines from other garnets. The purplish almandine-pyrope blend known as rhodolite is generally considered its own garnet variety, with its own sub-varieties. However, Idaho almandine-pyropes can show a strong red to purplish red color shift under incandescent and LED light. Most color change garnets have a pyrope-spessartine composition. Highly prized by collectors, star garnets rank among the most difficult gems to cut.

(Due to inclusions, the SG can reach up to 4.76). The Idaho material has a refractive index (N) of 1.808 and a specific gravity (SG) of 4.07. When properly cabbed, almandines with inclusions of asbestiform minerals (pyroxene or amphibole) may yield a 4 or 6-ray asterism effect. (The star garnet is the Idaho state gem). Rare star garnets come primarily from India and the U.S. Almandine Garnet Varieties Star Garnets Star garnet (almandine): Africa (ca 15). 14k rose gold ring with a 2.77-ct almandine center stone and 0.13-ct diamond side stone. (For almandine gem design ideas, see Jeff Graham's faceting recommendations). With no cleavage and a hardness of 7-7.5, almandines make durable stones for any type of jewelry setting. Do Almandine Garnets Make Good Jewelry Stones?Īs an affordable garnet species, almandines make an excellent choice for January birthstone jewelry. From the collection of the Hallwyl Museum, Stockholm, Sweden. German work from the latter half of the 19th century. Gold ring with almandine garnet and hyacinths ( zircons). You might still encounter this term in descriptions of antique jewelry. The Classical Roman scholar Pliny the Elder called the finest red gemstones with 'brilliancy like fire' carbunculus, a grouping which included almandines and likely red spinels and rubies as well.Īlthough no longer used professionally by gemologists, the term 'carbuncle' persisted into the 19th century and came to refer to cabochon-cut red gems, most commonly almandine garnets. The Ancient Egyptians used almandines in jewelry as early as 3,500 BCE. Known also as almandite (chiefly a British usage), almandine has been popular throughout history. Almandines can also show purplish red, wine red, and purple colors. With manganese-dominant (Mn) spessartine, it forms more brownish to orangish red garnets. Most frequently, with magnesium-dominant (Mg) pyrope, it forms the deep red garnets often encountered in commercial jewelry.

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Like all garnets, iron-dominant (Fe) almandine virtually always occurs in series with other garnet species. 1st century BCE, Italy, 1.3 x 0.6 x 1.6 cm. What is an Almandine Garnet? A carved almandine garnet depicting Eros carrying off the weapons and clothing of Hercules.

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