Garnet

GarnetGemstones

Garnet is one of the most captivating and diverse gemstones in the world, making it an exceptional choice for discerning collectors and luxury jewelry buyers. Unlike many gemstones limited to a single color, garnet occurs in a rich spectrum—from deep crimson reds and vivid oranges to rare greens, purples, and even color-change varieties—offering a level of exclusivity few stones can match. High-quality garnets like Tsavorite, Demantoid, and Mahenge Garnet rival the brilliance and rarity of more expensive gems, yet offer exceptional value for their beauty and durability. With a radiant luster, excellent wearability, and a story rooted in royalty and history, garnet pieces bring timeless elegance and individuality to any fine jewelry collection. Whether custom set or chosen for their investment-grade quality, these gems offer a sophisticated, under-the-radar luxury prized by collectors who appreciate both rarity and refinement.

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. Even purple and grape garnet are amazing looking. View our Mali and Malaya Garnet gemstones as well.You can also find rhodolite garnet, mehange, Merelani.

Garnet Spec & Origins

• Mineral Group: Nesosilicate family; formula X₃Y₂(SiO₄)₃. Includes two main series: pyralspite (pyrope, almandine, spessartine) and ugrandite (grossular, andradite, uvarovite)

• Hardness: 6.5–7.5 on Mohs scale – relatively durable, suitable for daily wear

• Refractive Index: High (~1.72–1.94), giving garnets bright brilliance

• Crystal System & Luster: Isometric structure, typically dodecahedral crystals; vitreous to resinous shine

• Colors & Varieties:

  • Common reds (pyrope, almandine) and oranges (spessartine) 

  • Greens (grossular, tsavorite, uvarovite)

  • Rare colors: peach, clear, blue, color-change varieties (e.g., color-change garnet)

• Sources by Variety:

  • Mahenge / Malaya Garnet – Tanzania, known for vivid pink-red-orange hues

  • Tsavorite (green grossular) – Kenya & Tanzania (Tsavo region)

  • Spessartine – Madagascar, Namibia; oranges are vibrant

  • Rhodolite – Malawi and other African sources; violet-red color

  • Color-change garnet – Madagascar, Kenya, Tanzania; shifts from green/blue to red/purple under light change

• Notable Rare Types:

  • Demantoid (green andradite) – chromium-rich, high dispersion, found in Russia, Namibia, Italy, Iran

  • Colorless garnet – extremely rare; anecdotal existence

• Industrial Use: Garnet’s hardness and angular grain structure makes it ideal for use as abrasive media (e.g., water-jet cutting, sandpaper)