Sterling silver Gretel ring with natural uvarovite garnet. Collection inspired by the tale of “Hansel and Gretel.” Uvarovite size: 10 x 10 mm. © Marta Oms, Jeweler & Gemologist, Barcelona. Used with permission.
Always a dark, rich green color, uvarovite is one of the rarest members of the garnet family. Usually only seen as druzy on matrix, these crystals are seldom faceted.
The International Gem Society (IGS) has a list of businesses offering gemstone appraisal services.
For information on quality factors for uvarovites and other garnets, consult our garnet buying guide.
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Uvarovite Garnet |
| Is a Variety of | Garnet |
| Heat Sensitivity | Some |
| Formula | Ca3Cr2Si3O12 |
| Etymology | Named after Count S. S. Uvarov, (1765-1855), mineral collector and president of the St. Petersburg Academy. |
| Occurrence | Chromites and serpentines, that is, metamorphic environments where both Ca and Cr are present. |
| Colors | Dark, rich green. |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Hardness | 6.5-7.5 |
| Cleavage | None |
| Crystallography | Isometric, but specimens with other crystal symmetry may occur. See "Identifying Characteristics" below. |
| Refractive Index | 1.74-1.87 |
| Birefringence | Usually none, but some specimens may be birefringent. See "Identifying Characteristics" below. |
| Dispersion | 0.014-0.021 |
| Pleochroism | None. |
| Optics | N = 1.74-1.87. May show anomalous birefringence, and some gems may actually be birefringent. See "Identifying Characteristics" below. |
| Luster | Vitreous. |
| Specific Gravity | 3.40- 3.80 (usually 3.71-3.77) |
| Transparency | Transparent to opaque. |
| Birthstone | January |
“Freeform-Cut Uvarovite,” 6.4 x 4.5 mm, 0.44 cts, Outokumpu, Finland. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission. (Photos grouped to show views from different angles).
Since uvarovite crystals are usually opaque, only small corners of larger crystals have the transparency needed for faceting. Faceted pieces hardly ever exceed one carat in weight. Since these garnets are so rare, a cut specimen of any size would make a coveted prize for a collector.
It’s a shame that these garnets with emerald-like deep green color are so rarely found. Faceted uvarovites would make wonderful jewelry stones. However, uvarovite druzy specimens have also been used in beautiful raw stone designs.
“Garnet, Var. Uvarovite,” Saranovskii Mine, Saranovskaya Village, Gornoazavodskii area, Permskaya Oblast, Middle Urals, Urals Region, Russia. (Type Locality). Photo by Géry Parent. Public Domain.
Just like many emeralds, uvarovites also get their color from chromium (Cr). However, other garnet species also contain chromium, such as demantoid (andradite) and some tsavorite (grossular). These fellow garnets also share their deep green color range.
Demantoid’s specific gravity (3.82-3.88) exceeds that of uvarovite (3.40-3.80, usually 3.71-3.77). Tsavorites and uvarovites have just a slight overlap of refractive index ranges (1.72-1.744 and 1.74-1.87, respectively).
Although garnets are isometric, their optical properties can vary based on their chemistry. The presence of a large Ca (calcium) atom in uvarovite may make some specimens birefringent. This may be due to strain or symmetry reduction. Monoclinic, orthorhombic, and triclinic symmetry does occur in natural uvarovites.
Synthetic uvarovite has been used to study garnet series. Scientists have also synthesized uvarovite crystals via the flux method as part of the study of the natural birefringence mentioned previously. However, there is no known jewelry use of this material.
For information on other synthetic garnets, see the “Synthetics” section of our main garnet gem listing.
No known enhancements.
The best known source of gem-quality uvarovites, Outokumpu, Finland produces large, fine green crystals.
Other notable sources include
An unusually large uvarovite garnet crystal, 2.1 x 1.9 x 1.2 cm, from Laghman (Lagman; Nuristan) Province, Afghanistan. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.
Even though crystals may reach a size of 1-2 inches, the occasional piece with a transparent corner would likely yield a faceted gem of less than a carat.
Uvarovites have no cleavage and a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5. Thus, faceted specimens would make durable jewelry stones. However, garnets do have heat sensitivity. So, whether your gems belong in a mineral collection or jewelry box, clean them with warm water, detergent, and a soft brush.
Due to the small size of the finished gems, recommended cuts for uvarovites include freeform designs and shallow checkerboards.
Druzy uvarovites should first be cleaned carefully with compressed air. Brush carefully, since physical contact can knock loose some crystals from their matrix. Druzy pieces that have smaller crystals and little or no exposed matrix will make more durable jewelry stones.
Consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide for more recommendations.
“Uvarovite Pendant.” Photo by Adrian Pingstone. Public Domain.
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