Natural Gemstones: Reference Facts

Mandarin Garnet

In 1991, a deposit of orange to red spessartites was discovered in Namibia. This discovery changed the gemstone world. The wonderful color and excellent brilliance of these stones are so unique. They were more beautiful than anything available before. Marketed under the trade name "Mandarin Garnet", the orange to reddish orange gemstones immediately attracted attention and became world-famous within a very short time.

Another new find of spessartite from Nigeria entered the market in 1999. The orange mandarin garnets from Nigeria are exceptional fine and transparent. Though the new find enhances what is being offered in the market, top-quality mandarin garnets in large size are extremely rare.

What makes mandarin garnet so special? First there is its color, the splendid orange in a range of hues from bright orange to rich reddish orange of the last light of the evening. Besides its incomparable color, mandarin garnet has unusually magnificent brilliance which exceed only by diamond, zircon, and andradite garnet. This gemstone sparkles vividly in all lighting environments. In addition, there is its good hardness. With the hardness of 7 on the Mohs' scale, mandarin garnet is suitable for everyday wear and is easy to care for. And of course, there is its rarity. Mandarin garnet is an ideal collector's stone. Color, brilliance, hardness, and rarity make mandarin garnet a unique and special gemstone.