3.84 CTS Old Mine Cut Natural Spessartite Garnet

Spessartite Garnet

Spessartite (SPESS-ar-tite) was first found in Spessart, Barvaria. The color range for this beautiful gemstone is orange, orange red, red, red brown, brown, to red with a tinge of violet.

A new variety of spessartite of magnificant brilliant tangerine color known as MANDARIN GARNET was uncovered in Namibia in 1993.  Mandarin Garnet should have a vivid electric orange color.  If the color of the spessartite you are considering is simply orange or displays a noticable tint of brown, it is not mandarin.
According to the lore of gemstones, a person wiho is attracted to spessartite is ready to assimilate higher levels of growth and structural balance.

The excellent hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale and absence of cleavage makes pyrope garnet a very durable gem. Garnet is the January birthstone.

Clarity Explained

• IF = Loupe Clean - Internally flawless; free of inclusions
• VVS = Almost Loupe Clean - Very, very slight inclusions; inclusions barely seen under 10x magnification
• VS = Eye Clean - Very slight inclusions; inclusions can be seen under 10x magnification
• SI = Slightly included - Small inclusions can be seen with the naked eye
• I1 = Included - Inclusions can be seen with the naked eye
• Transparent = A gemstone having the property of transmitting light without serious diffusion / may have rutile or other inclusions
• Translucent = Allowing light to pass through, but not transparent
• Opaque = Does not allow light to pass through