We find the coolest things when sorting through tubs of rough we have tucked away in the vault!
This spessartite garnet came from a one-time find in Umba Valley of Tanzania, approximately eight years ago. Unlike typical spessartite, this material exhibits a distinct color shift. Under incandescent lighting, it appears bright orange-red, while under cooler lighting conditions, it shifts to a brownish-orange tone.
Spessartite garnet is a manganese-aluminum silicate, and the color shift in this material is likely influenced by trace amounts of iron or a compositional mix with other garnet species such as pyrope or almandine. While spessartite is not known for strong color change, this particular deposit shows a notable shift within the orange-brown spectrum, making it an unusual variety.
11 pieces / 7.744 grams / 38.72 carats total / 3.52 carats average / majority are eye-clean or better
Estimate: $215 - $225
