color change garnet - Tanzaniacolor change garnet - Tanzania

Color Change Garnet Value, Price, and Jewelry Information


Any stone that changes color under different types of light is a rare treat for collectors. Color change garnets show the widest range of transformations in the gem world, with almost any hue possible.

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Any stone that changes color under different types of light is a rare treat for collectors. Color change garnets show the widest range of transformations in the gem world, with almost any hue possible.

color change garnet - Tanzania
This round, brilliant-cut color change garnet shows brown in compact fluorescent lighting, purple in daylight, and hot pink in incandescent lighting. 0.65 cts, 5.45 mm, Tanzania. © Dan Stair Custom Gemstones. Used with permission.

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Color Change Garnet Value

  • 73925679_1_x
  • 73925679_2_x

    Trillion-cut color change garnet (brown to red), 2.41 cts, 8.66 x 8.05 x 4.59 mm, Madagascar. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Jasper52.

    Comments

    Garnets belong to a complicated family, full of surprises. Color change garnets are no exception. For many years, it was commonly said that garnets come in every color of the rainbow — except blue. Recently, this has been proven false. In the 1990s, garnets that appear blue-green in daylight and purple in incandescent light were discovered in Madagascar. These stones were a mix of predominantly pyrope and spessartite.

    Blue color change garnets are exceptionally rare stones. One large specimen has sold for $1.5 million per carat.

    • color change garnet, blue - expensive engagement ring stones
    • color change garnet, purple - expensive engagement ring stones

      This color change garnet from Africa shifts from blue to purple. © All That Glitters. Used with permission.

      How Do You Classify Color Change Garnet?

      Most, but not all, garnets that display color change consist of a mix of pyrope and spessartite, such as those blue gems as well as rare but more accessible malaia garnets. However, garnets from Idaho, primarily mixtures of almandine and pyrope, occasionally show a strong color shift from red to purplish red. Mali garnets, predominantly grossular with some andradite, may also show a color change from grayish green in fluorescent light to brown in incandescent light.

      Distinguishing garnet species can be difficult. Keep in mind that color change garnets aren't a specific garnet species or limited to a specific mixture of species. These gems will display the physical and optical properties of the species or blend to which they belong. These durable stones should also receive the same care and maintenance as all other garnets.

      andradite crystals - Afghanistan
      These andradite crystals on matrix display an unusual color shift. Under halogen light, they appear a pastel "mint green," but under mercury light, they appear an intense "lime green." 9.2 x 5.2 x 3.9 cm, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

      Sources

      Afghanistan, Madagascar, Norway, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and the U.S. state of Idaho have all produced color change garnets.

      • 1.99 ct. Sri Lankan Color Shift Garnet CCGarnetIV
      • 1.99 ct. Sri Lankan Color Shift Garnet CCGarnetIII

        Rectangular radiant-cut color change garnet (brownish tan to red-purple), 1.99 cts, 8.9 x 5.8 mm, Elahara, Sri Lanka. © The Gem Trader. Used with permission.


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