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One of the rarest and most valuable variety of the garnet family, demantoid garnet is a green gemstone known for its fire, brilliance and vivid green color. It makes an excellent addition to any jewelry collection and looks stunning in any type of jewelry.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about demantoid garnet before you buy.
What is Demantoid Garnet?
Demantoid garnet was first discovered in Russia in the mid-1800s in the famous Ural Mountains. Some other notable mines of the gemstone are in Namibia and Madagascar.
Demantoid garnets are a member of the andradite variety of garnets. Because of its diamond-like luster and fiery dispersion, demantoid garnets are considered to be the most valuable of all garnet varieties.
Demantoid Garnet Color
The beauty of the demantoid garnet lies in its vibrant, vivid green hues which comes from the presence of chromium. Some demantoids can exhibit a yellowish color, which is caused by traces of ferric iron.
Demantoid is a single-color gemstone, occurring only in green with some stones showing yellowish or brownish tinges. Vivid green demantoid garnets are the most sought after but paler stones often exhibit better fire.
In general, the best demantoid garnets are those that show neither under- nor over-saturation, but have an even hue, saturation and tone. Having said this, the color you choose depends on your personal taste. If you want a fiery, brilliant demantoid, it’s best to opt for a lighter hue while if you’re after a rich body tone, opt for a medium green, emerald-like color.
Demantoid Clarity
Demantoids are typically high in transparency but are known for generally having inclusions. Finding an inclusion free demantoid can be rare.
While inclusions tend to bring down the value of a gemstone, there’s one specific type of inclusion that is actually seen as an advantage in demantoids. These are known as horsetail inclusions and are found demantoid garnets that come from Russia. Horsetail inclusions are thin, radiating needle-like lines that spread out from a central point, resembling a horse’s tail.
When buying a demantoid garnet, always look at the actual gemstone and pay close attention to its inclusions as these can add to or detract from the beauty of the stone.
Demantoid Cut and Carat Size
Demantoids are typically faceted as this brings out its exceptional brilliance and enhances the hue of the stone. Typical cuts include oval shapes, round, pear and cushion cuts. When cutting a demantoid rough, cutters aim to save as much of the rough as possible and often plan the cut according to the shape of the rough.
Most demantoid garnets are small and on average less than 1 carat in size. Finding stones over 1.5 to 2 carats is rare, and these can be quite valuable.
Demantoid Garnet Jewelry
Demantoid garnets are excellent at energizing your wardrobe, bringing a burst of color to your look. Also, because of their value and rarity, they also add a touch of luxury.
For minimalist tastes, choose small stud earrings, pendants or stacking rings featuring demantoid garnets. These are tasteful and blend in well with your everyday look.
Demantoid garnets go well with white metals and create a modern look. The sharp contrast between the green and the silver-hues brings out the color of the gemstone clearly.
For a more vintage, classic look, choose yellow or rose gold metals. The blending of green with these metal colors creates an analogous color combination which looks seamless and relaxing.
Because garnet is the birthstone of January, demantoid garnets make good gifts for January babies. However, it makes better financial sense to choose a red garnet birthstone gift instead!
If you’re thinking about a demantoid garnet engagement ring, it’s important to note that the stone can easily get damaged as it’s not very hard or tough. The ring would need more maintenance than you might be prepared to give it. However, with appropriate care and a protective ring setting, a demantoid engagement ring could last a long time.
Demantoid Garnet Treatments
Demantoid garnet is typically never treated and there are no enhancements done to the gemstone, which means that the stones you find on the market are natural.
However, you may sometimes come across demantoid garnets that have been heat treated to enhance color.
There are also no synthetic versions of demantoid garnet.
However, sometimes inexpensive imitations such as green glass, can sometimes be passed off as demantoid. This is why it’s important to purchase from a trusted source to ensure that you aren’t being ripped off
Demantoid Garnet vs. Tsavorite Garnet – 6 Differences
Both demantoid garnet and tsavorite garnet are quite similar in many ways:
- They come from the same mineral family,
- They are the same color
- They have the similar hardness with a ranking of around 7 on the Mohs scale
However, regardless of these similarities, there are some dividing differences between the two stones:
- Chemical Composition: Demantoids are from the andradite garnet variety while tsavorite is from the grossular variety.
- Dispersion: Demantoid garnets have more dispersion and therefore more fire than tsavorites. When viewed under light, they display flashes of colorful light, much like a diamond’s fire.
- Price: High-quality demantoids are more valuable than high-quality tsavorite stones.
- Inclusions: Demantoids are known for their radiating mineral fiber inclusions (horsetail inclusions) while tsavorites have typical inclusions like crystals, feathers and white needles.
- Origins: Demantoid garnets mainly come from Russia while tsavorites are mainly sourced from Tanzania.
- History: Demantoid garnets have a much longer history, having being discovered in 1852, while tsavorite, in comparison, is extremely recent, and was only discovered in 1967.
Cleaning and Caring for Demantoid Garnet
To keep demantoid garnet jewelry clean, simply use warm water and a mild soap with a soft cloth or brush. Rinse thoroughly and dry the stone well prior to storage. It’s best not ot use an ultrasonic cleaner as this could cause damage to the stone.
Always store demantoid garnet in a fabric lined jewelry box or a soft pouch. This keeps it free from dust and from being scratched by harder items.
Never expose any gemstone, including demantoid garnets, to harsh chemicals or detergents. It’s best to take off demantoid garnet jewelry when swimming in chlorinated pools, cleaning with household detergents or engaging in vigorous activities like playing sports, gardening or hiking.
Meaning and Symbolism of Demantoid Garnet
Because demantoids are part of the garnet family, the symbolism attributed to garnets in general is relevant to demantoids as well. Garnets are a highly valued stone for those who believe in metaphysical properties of gemstones, with a history that goes back thousands of years. The healing properties attributed to garnets include protection, strength, communication and the ability to help with building relationships among friends, loved ones and acquaintances.
Demantoid garnets are believed to be a stone that removes obstacles arising in love. It’s the perfect gemstone for married couples to help couples overcome negativity and disagreements. It’s also believed to be a healing stone, helping with issues related to the immune system and alleviating breathing issues.
Demantoid garnets are also believed to alleviate loneliness and feelings of isolation.
*Disclaimer: Jewelry Shopping Guide does not guarantee or validate any of the claims related to the metaphysical and alternative healing powers of this or any other gemstone. This information should in no way be used as a substitute for medical advice.
Where to Buy Demantoid Garnet Jewelry
Demantoid garnets are very rare and your options will be limited when searching for the stone in brick and mortar stores. Taking your search online will give you access to more options as well as allow you to easily compare prices.
We recommend starting your search on Etsy, as there’s a range of unique, hard to find demantoid jewelry on offer ranging in price and style. You can also find genuine demantoid antiques that come with certification.
Always check for the authenticity of the stone and ask for a certificate if applicable. Make sure you’re purchasing from a trusted and reliable seller with good customer reviews, customer service, after sales policies and clear and open communication.
If you want to know more about garnets, check out our complete guide here.
