Buyers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and diamonds no longer hold the same allure. The demand for jewelry featuring unique stones that rival diamonds in sparkle but are less common is on the rise. Today, Gem market has something extraordinary to offer, especially if you appreciate brilliance, high dispersion, and the color green. Allow me to introduce you to the majestic demantoid garnet.
Demantoid garnet was first discovered in Russia during the early 19th century. In 1854, mineralogist Nils Gustaf Nordenskiöld identified this gemstone as a variety of Andradite garnet. These gemstones exhibited exceptional brilliance and dispersion, leading Nordenskiöld to name them "demantoid" due to their diamond-like appearance.
The truth is, demantoids surpass diamonds in brilliance and dispersion.
Hello, everyone! I'm Sasha Kareva, an accredited gemologist, and on this channel, I delve into the world of GEMSTONES. Welcome!
The story of demantoid is captivating almost like a fairy tale. As I mentioned, demantoid garnet was unearthed in Russia in the late 19th century. In 1891, a renowned gemologist named Joseph Kunz, who happened to be a cousin of a local historian, visited from the United States. Interestingly, he was the first gemologist for the lesser-known jewelry house Tiffany & Co. Kunz was so enamored by these sparkling green stones that newspapers of the time reported, "he bought up all the demantoids available on the market." These very demantoids would later grace the exquisite jewelry of Tiffany & Co.
Demantoid garnet gained immense popularity during the Belle Époque period of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was especially favored in Art Nouveau jewelry and held a special place in the hearts of Russian Czars.
For quite some time, Russia remained the sole source of these garnets. However, as supplies dwindled, demantoids became a rarity, primarily found in antique jewelry. Let's explore the status of demantoids in today's modern market.
While demantoid's color never quite matches the finest emerald, an emerald-green hue is the ideal. The color should be as vibrant as possible without being overly dark or tending towards yellowish green. Chromium is believed to be responsible for demantoid's color. Notably, demantoid's fiery brilliance is most pronounced in lighter, less saturated specimens. Therefore, color preference is a matter of personal taste. Some prefer a more intense body color with less fire, while others favor a lighter body color with increased fire. It's worth noting that stones with yellowish or brownish hues are not classified as demantoids; they are known as topazolite. Topazolite also boasts high dispersion but lacks the vivid green hue of demantoid.
Demantoid garnet exhibits its beauty under various lighting conditions. It shines beautifully in natural daylight, and incandescent light may add a slightly yellowish-green tint. Due to its exceptional dispersion, demantoid dazzles under the same type of lighting as diamonds, which is multi-point rather than diffuse lighting.
Interestingly, demantoid garnet has a unique clarity preference among customers. Some prefer clean demantoids as they exhibit higher dispersion, while others opt for demantoids containing radiating needle inclusions known as "horsetails." Gemcutters often align these byssolite or chrysotile inclusions at the center of the table, creating a natural firework effect. While these inclusions can sometimes be visible to the naked eye, examining them under a microscope provides a truly mesmerizing experience.
In the market, demantoids are primarily found in round brilliant cuts, although more unusual shapes are rarer and may command higher prices, especially if they possess excellent color and dispersion.
As previously mentioned, demantoid garnet ranks among the most expensive of all garnets, similar in price to fine tsavorite garnets, another green garnet variety. However, as with all gem materials, non-gem-quality pieces may be available for just a few dollars per carat. Such stones are generally unsuitable for faceting. Prices for demantoid vary significantly based on size and quality. For small-sized demantoids suitable for jewelry, typically 2-3 mm in diameter, prices start at $600-800 per carat. Therefore, for the price of one carat, you can acquire 4-5 stones.
Demantoids above 2 carats in faceted form are considered rare. Exceptional demantoids exceeding 5 carats are considered world-class specimens. Most demantoids are smaller than 1 carat, with prices varyingm greatly based on factors such as size, quality, and additional benefits. Some demantoids from specific deposits may undergo heat treatment to enhance color, which can affect their pricing. While heat treatments are widely accepted for rubies and sapphires, for demantoids, the preference is often for natural, untreated stones.
The original source of demantoid garnet was Russia's Ural Mountains. Today, there are deposits of lesser quality material in Iran, Italy, and Namibia, but Russian demantoids set the standard by which all others are judged.
Before we wrap up, here's a fun story from a friend involved in demantoid mining. Miners have a habit, when they find big rough, they put it into the mouths to avoid the losses. Mining demantoids is an arduous task, involving challenging weather conditions, physical exertion, and emotional fatigue. Miners often find themselves going days without discovering a single stone. In a lighthearted twist, some miners play a prank on their peers. You see, raw demantoid garnets can resemble lollipops in shape and color. As a joke, miners occasionally sneak a green candy, measuring 8-10 mm in size (a rarity in the world of demantoids), into a bucket of rock material. After the washing process, as the miner tips the sieve onto the table, the sparkling green gem catches the sunlight, filling the miner's eyes with joy and excitement. Without thinking, the miner pops the precious piece into their mouth, only to realize they've found a candy instead of a rare gemstone. It's heartwarming to know that even in challenging working conditions, humor prevails. I hope that all those involved in demantoid mining discover large and brilliant demantoids, and once they are faceted, we can all admire their dazzling dispersion. Until next time, don't forget to subscribe, and keep an eye out for those demantoids!