Malaia or malaya garnets are typically light to dark, slightly pinkish orange, reddish orange, or yellowish orange in color. This a popular but rare garnet variety.
Malaia Garnet (Malaya Garnet) Value
Malaia garnet value increases as the tone lightens.
Although these gems were readily available in the 1970s, they have since become scarce, especially in large sizes.
For more information on quality and value factors for malaia garnets, consult our buying guide.
Absorption bands are always visible at 4100, 4210, and 4300 that may merge to form a cutoff at 4350. There may also be absorption bands at 4600, 4800, 5040, 5200, and 5370.
Garnets are a complicated family. The story of malaia or malaya garnet illustrates this well. Discovered in the 1960s in the Umba Valley in Tanzania, these pink gems were called malaia, Swahili for “out of the family.” Miners who were being paid to search for violet rhodolite literally set aside these finds. At that time, they didn’t fit into any known garnet varieties.
When malaia garnets came to the attention of the gem world in the 1970s, however, the outcast quickly became quite popular and valuable. Since then, new discoveries have revealed these gems occur in a wider range of colors than the pink that initially garnered so much attention.
What is a Malaia Garnet?
Popularity notwithstanding, these rare gems remain complicated. Currently, the name has two different uses. It’s a trade name for pyrope-spessartine garnets with light to slightly dark colors ranging from pink, pinkish orange, yellowish orange, orange, to red. It’s also a variety of pyralspite (a blend of pyrope, almandine, and spessartite garnets) with a very wide range of possible mixtures. Malaia garnets may consist of 0-83% pyrope, 2-78% almandine, 2-94% spessartite, and 0-24% grossular, with no more than 4% andradite.
Some malaia garnets may change colors under incandescent and fluorescent light. When faceted, they may also show scintillating red flashes due to the presence of chromium or vanadium.
The Umba Valley in Tanzania, the first known source of malaia garnet, now rarely produces the material. The gemstone also occurs in Tunduro, Tanzania, as well as Kenya and Madagascar.
With their high hardness, no cleavage, and excellent dispersion, malaia garnets are excellent stones for faceting and any type of jewelry use. For engagement ring design ideas, consult our garnet engagement ring guide.
However, take care when cleaning these gems and garnets in general. Inclusions may burst due to extreme heat or ultrasound and fracture the stone. Avoid mechanical cleaning systems and stick to a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water, instead.