LEARN MORE ABOUT SPESSARTITE GARNET
Spessartite Garnets includes Fine Fanta Color which are rare and valuable greens, and many colors in between the Pale Orange to Deep Orange Shades of slight Red undertone. The price is distinguished based on the color they have. with the lighter orange more expensive.
Gemstone Attributes
| Mineral | Garnet Stone |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | Mn3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| Color | Orange - Red |
| Refractive Index | 1.881 - 1.888 |
| Birefringence | 0.018 - 0.040 |
| Specific Gravity | 3.82 - 3.88 |
| Mohs Hardness | 6.5 - 7.5 |
SPESSARTITE GARNET Value
The pricing and valuation of Cut Spessartite Stone is something more connected to the color and clarity of the orange stone.
The best quality of spessartite are Neon glowing Fanta Garnet which fetched around US$ 1000/ct for 10ct sizes for flawless pieces. Garnets are a gemstone that has High refractive index making them very shiny and brilliant when cut to perfection.
SPESSARTITE GARNET Sources
California, especially Ramona is known to produced fine, orange gems. Other notable sources in the United States are:
- African countries : such as, Namibia, Nigeria, and Tanzania are major sources of spessartites, including mandarins.
- USA : Colorado; Nevada; New Mexico; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; Amelia Court House, Virginia, San Diego County California (fine, gemmy orange to deep brownish material).
SPESSARTITE GARNET Properties
Spessartite Garnets normally happens in a solid-state series or blend with other garnet species, such as almandine and pyrope. The closer to a pure spessartite the gemstone is can be seen in its light orange color. Those stones with reddish to red-brown hues will contain a higher almandine content and a higher refractive index.
Mandarin garnets contain the highest percentage of spessartite (85-95% mol) and show vivid orange colors. Malaya garnets will show variable, but high, percentages of spessartite (2-94% mol), pyrope (0-83% mol), and almandine (2-78% mol). Their colors range from pink, pinkish orange, yellowish orange, orange, to red.
SPESSARTITE COLORS
Spessartite Garnets are usually pale orange to Vivid Reddish Orange in color. The most expensive are a glowing neon Bright Orange color which are sometimes referred to as "Fanta Orange" similar to the popular Fizzy Drink that has the orange hue.
SPESSARTITE Care
Spessartite have a hardness of 7-7.5 and no cleavage, which makes them durable gemstones. They are suitable for any kind of jewelry, from every day use to engagement rings.
To clean them, use warm soapy water and a cloth. Avoid chemicals and other cleaning methods.