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-red (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.
3.61 ct Taita-Taveta 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, a coppery-brown in fluorescent light, and a pinkish-brown in daylight. The center photo above shows the actual color change - no Photoshop tricks were used! The classic and popular scissors cut was used, which makes it easy to set for any style of jewelry.
3.61 ct, 11.5 x 6.6 x 4.8mm, VVS clarity
$795
1.10 ct Mali Garnet
An African dealer was setting up his booth in Tucson when he pulled out a parcel of small Mali garnets. I searched through the whole parcel and selected the nicest shapes and colors, including this one - an unusual and attractive light yellowish-green color. Outdoors it displays a more intense color. Even though it has a few inclusions, it's very bright and shows the wonderful dispersion that Mali garnets are known for.
1.10 ct, 6.3 x 6.3 x 4.2mm, SI clarity
$195
1.10 ct, 6.3 x 6.3 x 4.2mm, SI clarity
$195