Almandine occurs rather abundantly in the gem-gravels of Sri Lanka, whence it has sometimes been called Ceylon-ruby. When the color inclines to a violet tint, the stone is often called Syriam garnet, a name said to be taken from Syriam, an ancient town of Pegu (now part of Myanmar). Large deposits of fine almandine-garnets were found, some years ago, in the Northern Territory of Australia, and were at first taken for rubies and thus they were known in trade for some time afterwards as Australian rubies.
Type 1 Gemstones |
The following gemstones are typically inclusion free, even minor inclusions detract from their value. |
Diamond, Amethyst, Beryls(Aquamarine,Morganite), Citrine, Smoky Quartz, topaz, Chrysoberyl, Kunzite, Tanzanite, green Tourmaline, and Blue Zircon |
IF | Internally flawless under extreme magnification (Very rare) |
F | Flawless |
VVS | Minute inclusions under 10x; invisible to the unaided eye |
VS | Minor inclusions under 10x; usually invisible to the unaided eye |
SI1 | Noticeable inclusions under 10x; usually visible to the unaided eye |
SI2 | Noticeable inclusions under 10x; usually quite visible to the unaided eye |
I1 | prominent- moderate affect on appearance or durability |
I2 | prominent - severe affect on appearance or durability |
I3 | prominent- severe affect on beauty, transparency or durability |
Type 2 Gemstones |
Gemstones that normally have small inclusions that do not detract from value. |
Alexandrite, Andalusite, Iolite, Peridot, Rhodolite, Ruby, Sapphire, Spinel, Tourmaline, Garnet, Amethyst, Red Zircon, Tsavorite; Blue, Orange, Purple, Fluorite.Yellow and Parti-colored Tourmaline |
F | Flawless |
VVS | Minor inclusions under 10x; usually invisible to the unaided eye |
VS | Noticeable inclusions under 10x; often invisible to the unaided eye |
SI1 | Obvious inclusions under 10x; visible to the unaided eye |
SI2 | Obvious inclusions under 10x; very apparent to the unaided eye |
I1 | prominent - moderate affect on appearance or durability |
I2 | prominent - severe affect on appearance or durability |
I3 | prominent - severe affect on beauty, transparency or durability |