Garnets are very interesting and complex gem, from the Very Rare varieties Tsavorite, Mandarin, Spessartine (some time referred to as Spessatite), Hessonite, Dermatoid and Marli , which are often rare in small sizes (7mm), and the more familiar red varieties Almandine, Pyrope and Rhodolite. However even among the more familiar varieties are rare in sizes of 10 – 12 mm depending on the cut.
Of course the commercial practices make truly perfect gems very rare, even among the smaller more common varities.
All my years of cutting gems, I am really excited by unique cuts, also very exciting designing a piece to suit special cuts, they can lead you in many directions. This deep orange would really pop with just a few very high colour (E/F) Diamonds, maybe a couple of Trilliant cut! Mixing fancy cuts can be part of the fun when designing. Clarity exceptionally clean even under 10 x hand lens, and perfectly cut in Brisbane (not commercially cut in cheap labour centres)
A very bright gem, but still with a nice strong green garnet colour that only Tsavorite can give. A gorgeous size for a special ring and cut by one the best cutters in Australia, this gem catches everyone eye, even from a distance. I am bias when it comes to Tsavorite Garnets, but it really has to been seen to really appreciate the brilliance and colour. Cut in Brisbane (not commercially cut in cheap labour centres), by a master lapidarist. Very clean even under 10x hand lens.
The special purple tinge Rhodolite garnet possess make them really stand out in the gem world, as it a rare colour in gems. This beauty is a nice size for that stand out center piece in a special ring. Top quality Rubies are also known to have a similar purplish tinge to them, but with only a tiny and decreasing supply of Rubies available these days, Rhodolite such as this gorgeous gem is certainly an option, especially if you desire a nice size feature gem. Cut in perfectly and very clean gem even under a hand lens.
A classis 4 claw studs set with 2 of the unique stunning bright Mandarin Garnets, with 100% Australian made screw-on large butterflies (not the common weak, thin, poor quality alloys commonly used these days). It’s really is a shame this special colour is disappearing
Matched sets of exceptional gems is always very difficult to find, especially cut perfectly and in rare colours. This stunning pair of bright “Fanta” colour Garnets would bring an amazing highlight any cocktail ring or pendant, with their own special twist.
Wow, such a lovely strong deep purple colour but so much life and brilliance, this pretty is the perfect center piece in any piece of jewellery. Either Diamonds and/or for contrast maybe some mid blue Sapphires or Aquamarines would really send this beauty to another level.
The simple Diamond set surround (Halo) highlight the size and colour of this impressive size and beautiful proportions, along with the stunning Red garnets are famous for. Pyrope / Almandine varieties of garnet often grow together in the same crystal as in this crystal, this has no effect on the gem other than the colour. Amazing cutting work and even body tones means a nice even body colour with nice rich red sparkles due to the excellent cutting, Very clean gem when viewed with a hand lens.
A simple looking but very special cutting style, the effect is stunning, but it is a cut that doesn’t allow you to hide any inclusions, so only perfectly clean crystals can be used to achieve this unique look! With no crown facets (I guess technically yes there is a table facet, but no star, kite or girdle), this could be set flush in for an understated design look, but of course this pretty will still release the amazing sparkle and draw anyone’s attention. Many of the best lapidarist I know in Australia do some very special cutting, after all you need to have some fun when you are so amazing at you passion. The gem is so perfectly clean, which is a must is any mirror cut gem, they are totally unforgiving and show any inclusion.
Almost black under most lighting, but the deep red shows under bright lights or sun light, I love to use the very dark gem in pieces for a nice black contrast, but the dark colours add that little extra when viewed in bright lights and the rick colour shines! For an almost Black gem, this pretty is still has minimal inclusions and you need a 10x magnifier to see them.
