Rhodolite Garnet is an eye-catching gemstone that can be found in many shades of red, purple, and pink. It’s a type of garnet that forms when chrome-rich rocks are metamorphosed by heat and pressure, which gives it the same composition as almandine garnets but with a different chemical structure. Rhodolite garnets have been known to turn shades from salmon-pink to orange or red and violet.
Why is Rhodolite Garnet So Desirable?
Rhodolite garnet is a beautiful gemstone, which is why it’s so desirable. Rhodolite garnet is a durable gemstone worn on its own or in an engagement ring. It’s also rare, which adds to the allure of this deep red gemstone.
Properties of Rhodolite Garnet
Rhodolite garnet is a metamorphic rock, forming from other rocks under extreme heat and pressure during geologic processes. It is mostly composed of the minerals pyrope and almandine, with smaller amounts of spessartite and grossular.
Color: It’s an orange-red stone with purple undertones, making it quite similar to its sister gem, garnet (which can be seen here).
Hardness: It has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale (same as quartz), which makes it suitable for everyday wear or even jewelry that will see some daily use (like rings or bracelets).
Rhodolite’s refractive index fluctuates between 1.75-1.77 depending on location. Still, it tends towards being closer towards 1:2 ratio rather than towards 2:1 balance due to its composition containing more pyrope than almandine crystals within each grain structure.”
Development of Rhodolite Garnet around the world
Rhodolite was discovered in the Ural mountains of Russia in the late 19th century. The gem was named after the rhododendron flower, whose colors closely match that of rhodolite. Rhodolite is a combination of two other gems: pyrope and almandine.
How to Identify Rhodolite Garnet
There are a few ways to tell the difference between rhodolite garnet and its less valuable cousins, including pyrope and almandine. Rhodolite garnets have a unique appearance that sets them apart from other gems. They often appear in shades of red or pink but can also be purple or brownish-red. This combination of colors means that you should always look for a stone with multiple hues when identifying a rhodolite garnet.
Rhodolites also tend to have an eye-catching chatoyant effect when cut into cabochon shapes, if you can find one! For this reason, most stones are faceted rather than cabochon: it’s easier for jewelers to work with faceted stones than those with complex faceting patterns like chatoyancy.
Conclusion
Rhodolite garnet is a beautiful and popular gemstone that has many great qualities. It is durable, has excellent clarity, and its unique color makes it desirable. If you are looking for a special gemstone to add to your collection or to use in jewelry, rhodolite garnet is a great option.
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