Garnet

Garnet received its name from the ancient Greeks because the red color reminded them of the "granatum," or pomegranate seed. While the red is the most common variety, it also comes in a virtual rainbow of colors -- from orangey-pink (Malaya) to reddish-purple (rhodolite) to yellow (Mali) to green (demantoid and tsavorite) to orange (spessartite and hessonite), and there is even a very rare blue color-change variety.  Garnet is the traditional birthstone for the month of January, and is a durable and brilliant gem suited to almost any use.

1.07 ct Tsavorite Garnet

Good Tsavorite rough is always hard to come by, but I manage to acquire a few nice stones occasionally from my buyers in Kenya and Tanzania. This one is from Kenya with a very attractive deep green and eye-clean clarity. 

1.07 ct, 5.5 x 5.5 x 4.3mm, VS clarity
$695

1.62 ct Blue Color-change Garnet

Here's a rare blue color-change garnet rough from Kenya's Taita-Taveta region, but this one is a little different.  Many will turn blue under all fluorescent lighting; this one turns a deep purple in some fluorescent lighting and and deep blue in others (as well as outdoors).  Incandescent lighting brings out a more reddish deep purple with magenta and blue flashes. An unique and fascinating gemstone with a timeless rectangle cushion shape.

1.62ct, 7.6 x 5.7 x 4.7mm, VVS clarity
$1950

4.60 ct Grossular Garnet

A large and very bright green grossular garnet from Kenya, this one is sure to make an impression! There are a couple of eye-visible inclusions (pricing has been adjusted accordingly) but these tend to be unnoticeable under normal viewing conditions. A classic square cushion design and lots of dispersion. 

4.60 ct, 9.3 x 9.3 x 6.7mm, SI clarity
$1480

0.96ct Color-change Garnet

Here's another of the color-change garnets from Kenya's Taita-Taveta district. An attractive pinkish-bronze in daylight and fluorescent lighting, changing to a rich pink in incandescent light. The calibrated size and round shape will make it easy to find a setting.

0.96 ct, 6.0 x 6.0 x 3.9mm, VS clarity
$125

0.74 ct Tsavorite Garnet

This nice Tsavorite garnet shows the typical deep green color of Kenyan material. Cut with a standard emerald cut, and very clean except for a light "veil" near one end. Affordable and a must for everyone's garnet collection.

0.74 ct, 5.4 x 3.9 x 3.5mm, VS clarity
$195

1.28 ct Color-change Garnet

I'll admit that I have a fascination with these Taita-Taveta color-change garnets from Kenya. This classic square cushion is chocolate in daylight and fluorescent lighting, and a warm pink in incandescent lighting. Eye-clean, and something different for your collection.

1.28 ct, 5.7 x 5.7 x 4.3mm, VS clarity
$150

1.52 ct Tsavorite Garnet

I spent a lot of time analyzing this nice Kenyan rough tsavorite garnet, trying to determine its optimal shape.  I didn't want to waste any of this valuable material, so I finally decided to use a step-cut "keystone" shape. The deep green color, eye-clean clarity, and unusual yet classic design make for a stunning gemstone.

1.52 ct, 7.8 x 6.8 x 3.8mm, VS clarity
$1175

3.61 ct Color-change Garnet


Of all the Taita-Taveta color-change garnet rough that I bought in Voi, Kenya last November, this was the largest. True color-change garnets are uncommon, and one of this size and clarity makes it even more rare. A very attractive reddish-pink in incandescent light, mocha/bronze in fluorescent light, and deep pink in daylight.  The classic and popular scissors cut was chosen, which makes it easy to set in any style of jewelry.

3.61 ct, 11.5 x 6.6 x 4.8mm, VVS clarity
$395

1.65 ct Tsavorite Garnet

I've had this Tsavorite garnet in my collection for a couple of years because my photography could never really capture how nice this looks in person. It does have some eye-visible inclusions, but are not really noticeable in real life. A classic Tsavorite green in a classic oval cut, and a fantastic bargain if you've always wanted a Tsavorite.

1.65 ct, 8.3 x 6.5 x 4.6mm,  SI  clarity
$495

1.17 ct Grossular Garnet

Just barely a shade too light for me to label it Tsavorite, here's a very nice grossular garnet. It does have a few inclusions, but these are barely visible due to its brightness and dispersion. An interesting "dome" cut, lots of dispersion, and a perfect spring color!

1.17 ct, 6.3 x 6.3 x 4.5mm,  SI clarity
$250