Natural Garnet: Complete Guide for Trade, Jewelry, and Collections

This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about natural garnets, for trade partners, jewelers, and collectors alike.

Overview

Natural garnet encompasses a group of silicate minerals that come in a variety of colors, including deep reds, vibrant greens, and rich yellows. With a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, garnet is durable and suitable for various types of jewelry, making it a popular choice for both fashion and fine jewelry. Available in multiple varieties, such as Almandine, Pyrope, and Tsavorite, this gemstone’s versatility and unique color range have solidified its position in the market. Understanding garnet’s characteristics, sources, and market dynamics is essential for anyone involved in its trade or collection.

Physical Properties and Specifications

  • Chemical Composition: (Fe,Mg,Mn,Ca)₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃

  • Hardness: 6.5 - 7.5 on the Mohs scale

  • Crystal System: Cubic

  • Refractive Index: 1.72 - 1.94

  • Specific Gravity: 3.1 - 4.3

  • Pleochroism: Generally absent; some varieties show weak effects

  • Fluorescence: Generally inert, but some may exhibit weak fluorescence

  • Cleavage/Fracture: Conchoidal fracture, no true cleavage

Color and Quality Classifications

Available Color Ranges

  • Primary hues: Red, green, orange, yellow, purple, brown, and black

  • Secondary modifications: Pink, blue, and gray

  • Tone and saturation ranges: Light to dark tones with vivid saturation

  • Premium colors: Deep red and vibrant green

  • Commercial grades: Light shades and less saturated colors

Clarity Characteristics

  • Typical inclusion types: Needle-like inclusions, color zoning, and crystals

  • Clarity grading standards: Eye-clean to included

  • Source-specific features: Unique inclusions that may indicate origin

  • Eye-clean criteria: No visible inclusions to the naked eye

Source Locations and Material

Historic sources

  • Bohemia (Czech Republic), Sri Lanka, India, and Madagascar

Current production

  • Significant production is currently from Africa, particularly Tanzania and Mozambique.

Source-specific characteristics

  • Each location imparts distinct characteristics in color and clarity.

Production trends

  • Increasing demand for garnet has led to rising prices, especially for high-quality specimens.