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Spessartite garnet is a manganese-aluminum garnet known for its vibrant orange to red-orange color, with fine examples ranging from bright yellow-orange to a deep red-orange. It is prized for its fire and brilliance due to a high refractive index, and while it can be found in larger sizes, gem-quality stones of fine color are often rare. Commonly, the stone is found in alluvial deposits and granitic pegmatites and has a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale.

Description and characteristics

• Color: Ranges from yellow-orange, orange, and red-orange to reddish-brown. The most prized color is a pure, intense orange, which is sometimes called "Mandarin garnet". The orange hue is caused by manganese.

• Refractive Index: Has a high refractive index, which gives it a high degree of brilliance and fire when cut.

• Hardness: Rates between 6.5 and 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it a durable gemstone.

• Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to sub-adamantine.

• Cleavage: Has no cleavage.

• Inclusions: Can be included with fine, small crystals or bubbles, often called "sugar" inclusions.

• Size: Gem-quality spessartite is rarely found in sizes larger than 10 carats, with very large stones being rare.

Origin and history

• Origin of Name: Named after the Spessart region in Bavaria, Germany, where it was first discovered.

• Sources: While historically found in Germany, gem-quality spessartine was rare until discoveries in Namibia in 1991. Other sources for fine stones include Nigeria and Fujian, China.

Value and perception

• Value: Prices vary depending on quality, with bright orange "Mandarin" spessartites fetching higher prices.

• Perception: Sometimes called the "Garnet of the Sun," it is associated with passion, creativity, and strength.