Spessartite Garnet: Brilliance from Bavaria and Beyond

 

Spessartite garnet was first found in the mid 1800s near the German forest area of Spessart, Bavaria. The garnet family of gemstones is well known, and spessartite garnet has become one of the more sought after garnets. With a refractive beauty that is surpassed by few gemstones, spessartite garnet is a vision to behold.

Spessartite garnet is a natural gemstone, requiring no enhancements to bring out its beauty. It is a transparent stone that has the dazzling brilliance of a diamond. In fact, only three gemstones (diamonds, zircon, and sphene) have a higher refraction. Even the famous and coveted sapphire gemstones don’t provide as much dazzle as spessartite garnets.

After its initial discovery in Spessart, Bavaria, spessartite garnet has been found in quite a few other places. In 1991, some of the best quality spessartite garnet gemstones came out of Namibia. These particular gemstones were vivid orange to orange/red in color and were called mandarin spessartite. Madagascar, Kenya, China, Australia, Pakistan, Tanzania, Mozambique, and the United States have also produced spessartite garnet. In addition, the spessartite garnet that has been found in Brazil and Sri Lanka is of superior gem quality.

The color of spessartite garnet ranges from orange/yellow to orange to orange/red to red/brown. Spessartite garnet that is brilliant, vivid orange/red in color is more valuable. Spessartite garnet sometimes resembles hessonite garnet or yellow topaz. Other members of the garnet family, such as almandite and pyrope are less expensive.

Spessartite garnet ranges from 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Use a soft brush and warm water as the safest way to clean this stone.

Spessartite garnet has also been called spessartine and mandarin garnet. Regardless of what you call it, spessartite garnet, like all other garnets, is both the traditional and modern birthstone for the month of January.

Over the years, some people have claimed that spessartite garnet, when worn against the skin near the afflicted area, helps reduce the pain of backaches and arthritis. While many disagree as to whether or not this or any other gemstone will provide healing powers, it is, at the very least, worth mentioning.

Stunning, brilliant, and elegant, spessartite garnet is sure to be a dazzling addition to any wardrobe. Want it, get it, wear it, and flaunt it.

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