Grossular | Hessonite | Leuco Garnet | Hydrogrossular | Paladines

This week's Featured Item!

THE COLORS OF GARNETS
Part 2 of 2

Last week (Part 1 of 2) I started my response to a question about the colors of Garnet. We learned that the family of Garnets is broken into two branches, the pyralspite series and the ugrandite series. In part 1 I introduced you to the pyralspite series of Garnets. Here in part 2 I will discuss the ugrandite series and complete my response.

THE UGRANDITE SERIES.

Grossular (Latin for Gooseberry). This Garnet varies from colorless, to green, to yellow, and to a golden brown. The dull brown to dull red-brown variety has been known for ages, but, finally, in 1966 fine gem quality stones, including a light-green variety, were found. Deposits are found in Canada, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Mali, Siberia, Tanzania, and Vermont (USA). Sub-varieties include:

Hessonite, aka Cinnamon stone. In 1966, a transparent, lustrous copper-gold
variety was found in Quebec, Canada, and in the late 20th century, a new, fine,
gold-colored variety was found in Sri Lanka. Deposits are found in Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, Canada, Madagascar, Tanzania, and the USA.

Leuco Garnet, a colorless variety. Deposits are in Canada, Mexico, and Tanzania.

Hydrogrossular, aka African Jade, Transvaal Jade, and Garnet Jade. This dense, opaque green variety is sold as “Jade”. Deposits are found in South Africa, Myanmar, and Zambia.

Tsavorite/Tsavolite, named for Tsavo National Park in Kenya, where this gorgeous garnet was originally found in 1974. This exceptional, green to Emerald-green Garnet rivals the finest Emeralds, and is currently considered one of the most under-priced gems on the market. The light green color is produced by chromium, and the deep green color is produced by vanadium. Deposits are in Kenya and Tanzania.

Paladines, opaque Garnets from the Transvaal. One variety is gooseberry green, speckled with black dots. The other variety is raspberry red.

Andradite, (named for a Portuguese mineralogist). This Garnets’ colors include, black, brown, yellow-brown, yellow, and green. Gem quality stones were first found in 1978.
Demanoid, (name means “Diamond like luster”.) Chromium gives this rare Garnet its’ luxurious Emerald-green color and a “fire” that is greater than the finest Diamond. It is only found in deep mines in only three locations: south of Yekaterinburg in the Urals; near Kunene in Namibia; and in Val Malenco in Italy.

Melanite, (Greek for black). An opaque black variety used in mourning jewelry. Deposits are found in Germany, France, Italy, and Colorado (USA)

Topazolite, (Topaz like). This yellow to lemon-yellow variety is found in Switzerland, Italian Alps, and California (USA).

Two other, unnamed varieties of Andradite were discovered around the turn of the millennium.
The first was discovered in Mali. It is transparent grayish-green, yellowish-green to greenish-yellow, and yellow-brown to brown.
The other, a Rainbow Garnet, was found near Hermocillo, Mexico. The crystal surfaces of this opaque black Garnet has a whirl of iridescent colors floating across its’ surface.

Uvarite, (named after a Russian statesman). This Emerald-green Garnet rarely occurs in gem quality. Deposits are found in India, Finland, Canada, Poland Russia, and California (USA).

So, now we know that Garnets are much more than just “wine-red” gems, and like Sapphires, they come in a complete rainbow of colors. In my view, green Tsavorite and green Demanoid Garnets are among the most exciting of the new gemstones.