Exploring Spessartite Garnet Origins: Bavaria's Role

Spessartite garnets were first discovered in the Spessart Mountains of Bavaria, Germany, in 1797, but the stones were not widely known until the 1990s when new African deposits of the gemstone were found. Spessartite garnets are now sourced from all over the world, including Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and the US. So, while spessartite garnets were originally found in Bavaria, it is unclear whether they still are.

Spessartite garnet's composition and varieties

Spessartite garnets, also known as spessartine, derive their name from the Spessart Mountains in the Aschaffenburg district of Bavaria, Germany, where they were first discovered in the 1830s. The stone's colour, which ranges from yellow to orange to red, is due to the presence of manganese in its chemical composition. The most prized colour is a bold and intense electric orange, with no undertones of yellow, red or brown.

Spessartites occur in three varieties. Firstly, there are the light and bright stones from Nigeria, Ramona in California, and the deeper reddish-orange stones from Nigeria. Secondly, there are the tangerine-orange "mandarin" garnets from Namibia, which are considered the rarest and most attractive. Mandarin garnets have the highest percentage composition of spessartite (85-95% mol) and vivid orange colours. Thirdly, there are the Malaya garnets, which can have variable but high percentages of spessartite (2-94% mol), pyrope (0-83% mol), and almandine (2-78% mol). Their colours range from pink, pinkish orange, yellowish orange, orange, to red.

Spessartite garnets are ideochromatic, meaning they are coloured by a fundamental element in their composition. In this case, the element is manganese, which produces an orange colour. Spessartite garnets can be modified by mixing with iron in the form of almandine, resulting in a deeper, reddish colour. The presence of almandine also increases the refractive index of the stone.

Spessartite garnets are part of the Garnet family, which includes the gem garnets: pyralspites (aluminium) and ugrandites (calcium). In addition, there are mixed garnets such as malaia (a pyrope-spessartite) and grandite (a grossular-andradite mixture). The purplish pyrope-almandine mixture is called rhodolite.

Spessartite garnets are typically found in large crystals, but it is challenging to find a spessartite with high purity. They are generally cut similarly to other coloured stones, with ovals, cushions, trillions, and emerald cuts being the most common shapes.

Spessartite garnet's history and discovery

Spessartite garnets, also known as spessartine garnets, were first identified in the 1830s in the Spessart Mountains in the Aschaffenburg district of Bavaria, Germany. The name is derived from the place where it was discovered.

Spessartite garnets range in colour from yellow to orange to red, with some material appearing brownish. The colour is due to the presence of the element manganese in its chemical makeup. The most prized colour is an electric orange, with no undertones of yellow, red or brown. This variety is known as "mandarin garnet".

Spessartite garnets remained largely the preserve of collectors until the 1990s when significant deposits were discovered in Namibia, followed by Nigeria in 1999 and Mozambique more recently. Other sources include Brazil, Madagascar, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, the United States, China, Pakistan, Australia, Afghanistan, Israel, Myanmar, India and South Africa.

Spessartite garnets are durable and suitable for any type of jewellery, including engagement rings. They are also resistant to fractures. However, they are somewhat rare, and large, high-purity stones are hard to come by.

Spessartite garnet's value and pricing

Spessartite garnets, also known as spessartine, are the orange to orange-red variety of garnets, which are a group of silicate minerals. They are particularly durable, making them suitable for use in jewellery, especially rings, bracelets and pendants.

The pricing of spessartite garnets is based on their colour, clarity, carat weight and quality. The most coveted colour is a bold and intense orange, with no undertones of yellow, red or brown. The most valuable spessartites are mandarin garnets, which are bright orange to orange-red and are usually mined in Mozambique and Namibia. They can be significantly more expensive than other varieties.

Spessartite garnets with a reddish tint tend to have a higher almandine content and a higher refractive index. The presence of iron impurities can also make the stone more reddish or brown. The rarest and most attractive colour is a bright orange, often compared to the colour of the drink Fanta, and these stones are referred to as 'mandarin' garnets.

Spessartite garnets are typically found in large crystals, but it is rare to find a stone with high purity that can be cut to exceed 10 carats without inclusions. The best quality spessartites are neon glowing 'Fanta' garnets, which can fetch around $1000 per carat for flawless pieces of 10-carat sizes.

Spessartite garnets can be found in Namibia, Nigeria, Mozambique, Tanzania, Brazil, Madagascar, the US, and several other countries. They are also sometimes imitated using synthetic materials such as glass, cubic zirconium oxide, or yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG).

Spessartite garnet's formation and sources

Spessartite garnets, also known as spessartine garnets, were first identified in the 1830s in the Spessart Mountains of northwest Bavaria, Germany. The name is derived from the place where it was discovered. The mineral is a manganese aluminium garnet species with the chemical composition Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3.

Spessartite garnets occur most often in granite pegmatite and allied rock types and in certain low-grade metamorphic phyllites. They are typically found in large crystals and are usually orange-yellow, orange, or orange-red in colour due to the presence of manganese in their chemical makeup. However, when manganese is swapped with iron, the colour changes to red or pyrope garnet.

Spessartite garnets can be found in various places around the world, including Australia, Myanmar, India, Afghanistan, Israel, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, Mozambique, Tanzania, the United States, Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. The discovery of significant deposits in Namibia in 1991 and Nigeria in 1999 increased the popularity of this gemstone. The most coveted colour is a bold and intense orange, known as "mandarin" or "fanta", and these stones are typically found in Namibia.

Spessartite garnets form a solid solution series with the garnet species almandine. Well-formed crystals from this series, varying in colour from very dark red to bright yellow-orange, have been found in locations such as Bulgaria. Spessartite, like other garnets, always occurs as a blend with other species. Gems with a high spessartine content tend towards a light orange hue, while almandine prevalence induces red or brownish hues.

Spessartite garnet's care and maintenance

Spessartite garnets are a durable gemstone, making them suitable for any type of jewellery, including engagement rings. However, they often contain inclusions, which can weaken the stone, so it is important to take good care of them.

To clean your spessartite garnet, avoid using mechanical systems, steamers, acids, or heat. Instead, use warm water, a mild detergent, and a soft brush. You can also clean it with a soft, dry cloth. Keep the stone away from direct shocks, heat sources, and liquids. It is recommended to remove any spessartite garnet jewellery before activities that may cause impact, such as cooking or sports.

If your spessartite garnet has cracks that reach the surface, do not clean it with liquid products or an ultrasonic device.

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