Gracielouwho
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2019
- Messages
- 76
Hello all,
I'm attaching some pics of some merelani mint garnets that I bought. These are the first ones I've been able to see in-person. They appear very clear and sparkly to my eye. My first question is about color. These appear very pale pastel green in dim indoor lighting and a greenish blue in most other lights. Is this a desirable hue, tone, saturation, etc...? Is this what the classic merelani is supposed to look like? I've heard people say it shouldn't have yellow and I dont think this does but is it too pale? I am in the return window if need be for these gems.
I've had a seller approach me about buying mint grossular garnets from him which are not mined in the merelani hills. If it is all the same thing, why do merelani mint garnets go for more money than mint garnets mined elsewhere? Is there really no way to tell the difference between a mint garnet mined in the merelani hills vs. Mined somewhere else? If not, why are merelani mints so desirable? Will both types of garnets glow under blacklight?
Reading through the forum, I've read that it might be better to get my own rough and have a gem cutter cut it. Does anyone have any resources on how a beginner might tell what rough will make a good faceted stone (how to look at color, cracks, inclusions, etc.. )?
Thanks so much for any help or information you can provide!




I'm attaching some pics of some merelani mint garnets that I bought. These are the first ones I've been able to see in-person. They appear very clear and sparkly to my eye. My first question is about color. These appear very pale pastel green in dim indoor lighting and a greenish blue in most other lights. Is this a desirable hue, tone, saturation, etc...? Is this what the classic merelani is supposed to look like? I've heard people say it shouldn't have yellow and I dont think this does but is it too pale? I am in the return window if need be for these gems.
I've had a seller approach me about buying mint grossular garnets from him which are not mined in the merelani hills. If it is all the same thing, why do merelani mint garnets go for more money than mint garnets mined elsewhere? Is there really no way to tell the difference between a mint garnet mined in the merelani hills vs. Mined somewhere else? If not, why are merelani mints so desirable? Will both types of garnets glow under blacklight?
Reading through the forum, I've read that it might be better to get my own rough and have a gem cutter cut it. Does anyone have any resources on how a beginner might tell what rough will make a good faceted stone (how to look at color, cracks, inclusions, etc.. )?
Thanks so much for any help or information you can provide!



