Mali Garnet Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

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“Andradite-Grossular Series” (Mali Garnet), Nioro du Sahel Circle, Kayes Region, Mali. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Mali Garnet

One of the rarer varieties in the garnet group, Mali garnet is a blend of grossular and andradite. Discovered in 1994 in Mali (still its only known source), this gemstone has great brilliance and a high dispersion. Its colors range from almost tsavorite green to yellow-green, yellow, gold, and brown.

Mali Garnet Value

Without question, the high-value range for Mali garnets is reserved for the extremely rare chrome-green color. In general, yellow, green, and green-yellow stones command higher prices than brownish stones. As with any gem, carat (size), clarity, and cut affect the value dramatically, with dispersion being a special value factor for Mali garnets.

A great deal of material was produced in the year following its discovery. The popularity of this pretty stone soared, and prices were initially very high. However, prices soon dropped. In recent years, far smaller amounts have been produced, which has resulted in an increase in price. Since large-size rough is rare in this variety, price per carat increases dramatically with size.

The International Gem Society (IGS) has a list of businesses offering gemstone appraisal services.

Garnet Value via Gem Price Guide

Top Color: oR, R, PR, rP 6/4

Almandine	All sizes
	to /ct

Fine Color Andradite: G 5/4

Andradite	All sizes
	to /ct

Chrome Pyrope	All sizes
	to /ct

Color Change	.5 to 1 carat	1 to 6 carats
Africa	to /ct	to /ct
US	to /ct	to /ct

Demantoid	to 1 carat	1 to 3 carats
	to /ct	to ,000/ct

Grossular Garnet	.5 to 1 carat	1 to 5 carats	5 carats plus
Mint Green (Merelani)	to /ct	to /ct	to /ct
Yellow/Orange	to /ct	to /ct	to /ct
Yellow/Green	to /ct	to /ct	to /ct
Other colors	/ct	/ct to /ct

Fine Color Hessonite: yO 4/5

Hessonite Garnet	All sizes
	to /ct

Malaya Garnet	.5 to 1 carat	1 to 5 carats	5 carats plus
	to /ct	to /ct	to /ct

Mozambique	All sizes
	to /ct

Mali Garnet	All sizes
	to /ct

Fine Color Spessartite: O 4/5

Mandarin Orange	All sizes
	to /ct

Fine Color Pyrope: R 6/5

Pyrope	1 carat plus
	/ct

Fine Color Rhodolite: rP, PR 6/5

Rhodolite	.5 to 1 carat	1 to 10 carats	10 carats plus
Faceted	to /ct	to /ct	to /ct
Cabochons	to /ct	to /ct	to /ct

Spessartite Reds See Mandarin above	.5 to 3 carats	3 to 6 carats
Little 3 Mine	to /ct	to /ct
African	to /ct	to /ct
Darker reds	to /ct

Star Garnet	All sizes
6 ray star	to /ct
4 ray star	to /ct

Fine Color Tsavorite: G 6/5

Tsavorite	.5 to 1 carat	1 to 2 carats	2 carats plus
Faceted	to /ct	to /ct	to ,000/ct

Uvarovite	10 carats plus
Druzy	to /ct

Cabochons	All Sizes
Common red to purple	to /ct

Mali Garnet Information

Data	Value
Name	Mali Garnet
Is a Variety of	Andradite-Grossular
Colors	Green, yellow-green, yellow, gold, and brown.
Crystallography	Isometric (cubic).
Refractive Index	1.760 - 1.780
Luster	Vitreous to resinous.
Hardness	7
Wearability	Very Good
Fracture	Conchoidal
Specific Gravity	3.49 - 3.85
Birefringence	None.
Cleavage	None
Dispersion	0.028 - 0.057
Heat Sensitivity	No
Enhancements	None known.
Special Care Instructions	None
Transparency	Translucent to transparent.
Birthstone	January
Formula	Ca₃Fe₂³⁺(SiO₄)₃ to Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃(Calcium, iron/aluminum silicate, varies with composition)
Pleochroism	None.
Optics	Isotropic. May show anomalous birefringence.
Etymology	After the African nation of Mali, the only known source of this gemstone.
Occurrence	Alluvial deposits

“1.41-ct Yellow Garnet,” Mali. © All That Glitters. Used with permission.

Comments

The Mali garnet has an exceptional family tree. Gemological study has proven that this gem’s composition is intermediate between grossular (calcium aluminum silicate) and andradite (calcium iron silicate). This blend is sometimes called “grandite.” Mali garnets are predominantly grossular, but the variable admixture of andradite changes its characteristics in at least one important way. This hybrid seems to favor its grossular parent in terms of refractive index (1.77 in most specimens) and hardness. However, its superb dispersion comes from its andradite heritage.

Some rare Mali garnets may show a color change from grayish green in fluorescent light to brown in incandescent light. Most color change garnets are a pyrope-spessartite blend.

Most Mali garnet rough is mined from alluvial deposits and shows the rounded, water-worn shape typical of that source. Faceted stones with a light body color will show off their brilliance spectacularly. No special precautions are necessary when setting or wearing these gems. They are suitable for all jewelry uses.

Note: Mali garnets and Malaia or Malaya garnets are distinct varieties of garnet.

Enhancements

No enhancements or synthetics for this gemstone are known on the market.

Mali Garnet Varieties. Photo courtesy of Barbara Smigel, Artistic Colored Stones.

Sources

The Kayes region of Mali is the only known source of this gemstone.

Care

In general, garnets are best cleaned with warm water, detergent, and a soft brush. However, unlike some of their brethren, Mali garnet is not heat sensitive. Consult our Gemstone Care Guide and Gemstone Jewelry Cleaning Guide for more information.