Garnet

One of our favorite gems as it has a high refractive index is singly refractive and takes a very good polish giving these gems a diamond like brilliance. Like diamond large sizes have significant rarity. Exceptional rhodolite has become more difficult to get as the Kangala deposit in Tanzania has been less productive. Mandarin spessartite garnet from Namibia is unavailable while Madagascar and Nigeria continue to produce small quantities. Tanzania has produced a purer orange color but it is rarely clean. Color change alexandrite like garnet from Bekily Madagascar has disappeared from the market but new supplies from Kenya and Tanzania are available. Both these sources rarely produce the quality of Madagascar alexandrite like garnet. Steve will be in Tanzania in March to look for color changing garnet and tsavorite garnet with hopes of good supply and good prices for these extremely rare gems.