I acquired this gemstone about 40 years ago when spessartines first became popular in the 1990’s.

For most of the 20th century, the principal source of fine spessartine was the area around the Little Three mine near the town of Ramona in southern California.

Spessartite garnets are typically included with fine small crystals or bubbles. Until recently, he primary source for gem-grade spessartine garnet was the Little Three Mine and Hercules Mine in Ramona, California. Africa is now producing spessartines.

the Little Three mine, because it was active for over a hundred years, unique gem specimens typical of the area, are archived in the Smithsonian and other museums.

"Every month I get a call" from a customer looking for spessartite, says San Diego respected gem dealer. However, supply is no longer keeping up with demand." He recently returned from East Africa, where the only spessartite he saw was small, brownish red garnets from southern Tanzania. "The Nigerian deposits are pretty much worked out. Zero stuff is coming out of the ground," je said. Any traders showing high quality spessartite are showing “old hand-picked stock" which is great, but limited."