SPESSARTITE
Spessartite is named after its original source in Spessart in the German state of Bavaria after its discovery in the mid-19th century.
It is a member of the Garnet family.
Spessartite
HISTORY
Garnets are present in many myths as a symbol of light, faith and truth.
It is said Crusaders set Garnets into their armour because they symbolised Christ’s sacrifice.
Also present in Islam, Garnets illuminate the fourth heaven, while for Norsemen, they guide the way to Valhalla.
COMPOSITION
It is a part of the Garnet family, a group of minerals possessing similar crystal structures, varying in composition.
It is a ‘self coloured’ gemstone and the manganese present in every Spessartite means that the gem with always be a shade of orange.
Depending on how much iron of Almandine Garnet is present, deeper reds and reddish-browns are also possible.
PROPERTIES
The colours typically seen in Spessartite are orange, deep reddish-orange, rich golden orange with red flashes, yellowish-orange and deep red.
The more intense vibrant reddish-oranges and ‘classic’ rich oranges are typically the most valuable.
The high refraction of Spessartite, it has the fifth highest refractive index after Diamond, Sphene, Zircon and Demantoid, means that a good brilliance is standard.
Although it is regarded as a Type II gemstone occurring with some minor inclusions that may be eye-visible, favour eye-clean gems.
Lighter coloured and larger examples, as well as Namibian Mandarin Garnet, may have more inclusions.
SOURCES
After being discovered in Bavaria, it was later found in Virginia’s Rutherford Mines.
The Namibia’s and Nigerian mines are currently the most significant sources but it is also mined in Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Zambia.
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