4X8 MM Marquise Shape Natural Faceted Rhodolite Garnet Purple Color Rhodolite Garnet Loose Gemstone AAA Quality Rhodolite Garnet
 
Highlights
 
Materials: Gem type: Rhodolite Carat
 
weight: .625
 
Description
Shape = Marquise
Color = Purple
Size = 4X8 MM
Treatment = UNHEATED/UNTREATED (NONE)
 
The gem is 100 percent natural and untreated in any way. It has inclusions that are visible with the unaided eye. The inclusions have been factored into the price, making this a great value for the size and color. Rhodolite
 
Overview
Rhodolite is the name used for gem garnets that are a pinkish red to purple-red color. It is composed of two of the end species of garnet in roughly equal proportions: almandine and pyrope. Iron is responsible for giving rhodolite the lovely ranges of reds to purple-reds that fine rhodolites are prized for. Rhodolites can have inclusions of fine rutile needles (these inclusions are referred to as "silk" and can give the garnet a soft glow in the hand that is difficult to capture in a photo) or tiny internal crystals of zircon and other minerals.
Rhodolite can often be found in larger sizes, but as they get larger they can become dark. Rhodolite garnets have excellent brilliance due in part to a high refractive index of 1.760. With a Mohs hardness of 7-7.5, rhodolite is a durable gemstone.
 
Named Species/Varieties
There are a number of regionally-named varieties of rhodolite garnet. One of the most well-known is Umbalite, a more purple-magenta variety found in the Umba River Valley of Tanzania. Recently some remarkable purple garnets have been found in Mozambique and been marketed as "Grape Garnets" or "Purple Garnets," although they are simply a very purple variety of rhodolite.

The first gem-grade rhodolites were found in North Carolina, and given the name in honor of the similarly-colored rhododendron flowers native to that region. Gem grade rhodolites today are mostly mined in Africa, with significant deposits in Kenya and Tanzania. It is also found in Sri Lanka, Nigeria and a few other localities around the world.

Rhodolite is not treated. The brilliance and hardness of rhodolite make a great choice for jewelry.