Natural Gemstones: Reference Facts
Spessartite Garnet
Spessartite garnet, also called spessartine garnet, is a member of the large and colorful garnet group. It was named after the Spessart district of Bavaria, Germany. Spessartite garnet can occur in yellowish orange through orange to reddish orange, brownish orange, red-orange, or orangey red to brownish red. Unlike many colored stones, spessartite garnet is not enhanced by any method. Spessartite garnet appeals due to its natural beauty, magnificent brilliance, and excellent wearing quality. This orange to red garnet is ideal to work into jewelry. With the hardness of 7 on the Mohs' scale, spessartite garnet is suitable for everyday wear and is easy to care for.
Gem-quality Spessartite Garnet is uncommon. Its warm and fiery orange to red color is hard to overlook. Spessartite garnet is believed to protect the wearer from harm and disaster. It also encourages joy of life. Like all garnets, spessartite garnet is the birthstone for January and is the suggested gift for the 2nd anniversary.
| Spessartite Garnet Known Facts
|
| Color |
Orange, Brownish Orange, Reddish Orange, Red-Orange, Orangey Red, Brownish Red
|
| Clarity
|
Type II – usually eye clean with some inclusions under magnification, light tone or large stones may not be eye clean |
| Crystal Structure
|
Cubic
|
| Chemical Composition
|
Mn3Al2(SiO4)3 – Manganese aluminum silicate |
| Luster
|
Vitreous
|
| Optic Character
|
Singly Refractive
|
| Durability
|
Very Good
|
| Specific Gravity(SG)
|
4.16
|
| Refractive Index(RI)
|
1.81
|
| Birefringence
|
-
|
| Hardness
|
7
|
| Occurrence
|
Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Madagascar, Nigeria, Tanzania, East Africa, Burma (Myanmar), Germany, the United States (California) |
|
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