Quick question about Demantoids/ horsetail incl?

[CHRISTY-DANIELLE]

I'm hoping to get some small (3.5 to 4mm) demantoid garnets as accent stones on earrings. I found a pair that are VS clarity and are the bright yellow-green I want, and not expensive. But on the same sellers site, the demantoids w /horsetail inclusions are way more expensive. I have only seen pics of demantoids but they really appeal to me.
So question, for those who know this stone, do the horsetail inclusions add something to the appearance? (I gather they are prized). But at this small size is it worth it? Do the demantoids without horsetail inclusions still have bright color and good dispersion?
I'm thinking of making birthstone earrings representing my sons (garnet and spinel), and like the color combo of the bright green w the pinky purple spinels.


These are the stones I'm considering:


Earrings something like this:


Any info appreciated!

 

[Musia]

I found this lovely pair, but they are little smaller than the size you are looking for. I would contact the seller and ask for the pair 3.5-4mm in diameter. https://www.etsy.com/listing/790908...demantoid&ref=shop_items_search_1&pro=1&frs=1
I would look for fresh green color and brightness, and I personally love lighter and cleaner demantoids with lots of sparks.

 

[lilmosun]

The price difference is probably because Russian demantoids are famous for their horsetail inclusions...a visual attribute that is valued in the market.

That being said, I am just guessing as I am not the seller. I would ask as there might be other factors (heated, origin, etc.). And whether it's worth the difference in price depends on what is important to you.

Note: While these horsetail inclusions are often considered a strong indication of Russian origin, not all Russian demantoids have horsetail inclusions. I also remember reading that some other locations have produced demantoids with horsetail inclusions (but not from asbestos traces like the Russian). However, African demantoids, which are more common in the marketplace, don't have the horsetail inclusions.

 

[CHRISTY-DANIELLE]

But what doesvthe horsetail inclusion add to the stone? Does it make it more sparkly? Effect color? Curious.

 

[Musia]

But what doesvthe horsetail inclusion add to the stone? Does it make it more sparkly? Effect color? Curious.

Stones with horse tails are way less sparkly than the clearer ones that have little bissolite inclusions. They may be more yellowish or vividly greenish but the tail will prevent them from sparkling.

 

[Musia]

I think they are overpriced https://www.thegemtrader.com/garnets/087-ct-russian-demantoid-with-horsetail-inclusion I would love to have one big (3-4 carats) vivid green demantoid with the classic horsetail one day to be set in a pendant but not 2 small 3.5mm accent gems for my earrings for the current market price.

 

[DAF]

I have a few pieces of jewelry with Namibian (African) demantoids, and they are sparkle bombs. I think the horsetail inclusions are more of a birth certificate (of origin) for the stones. I would assume since I think they are no longer mined in the Ural mountains of Russia, owning one comes with a premium price.

 

[CHRISTY-DANIELLE]

Thank you all, I'm so greatful for the info. I am not looking for bragging rights, just pretty sparkly certain-shade-of-green garnet. Just wanted to see what the difference was, with or without. I think without is fine for my needs and budget!

 

[lilmosun]

Stones with horse tails are way less sparkly than the clearer ones that have little bissolite inclusions. They may be more yellowish or vividly greenish but the tail will prevent them from sparkling.

I believe it's more an interesting characteristic more commonly found only in Russian demantoids.

Demantoids, in general, have high dispersion so will be sparkle bombs. My Russian demantoids are pretty sparkly (and I prefer it's intense green color over than my Nambian demantoid - different regions can are differences in chemical composition). But again, this is just based on the few I own and Musia may have more experience comparing.


Like any other colored stone, it's value is in the eyes of the buyer.

 

[CHRISTY-DANIELLE]

I just emailed the seller to clarify color. They are Nambibian stones. I just don't want an olivine tone. We shall see!

 

[T L]

I'm hoping to get some small (3.5 to 4mm) demantoid garnets as accent stones on earrings. I found a pair that are VS clarity and are the bright yellow-green I want, and not expensive. But on the same sellers site, the demantoids w /horsetail inclusions are way more expensive. I have only seen pics of demantoids but they really appeal to me.
So question, for those who know this stone, do the horsetail inclusions add something to the appearance? (I gather they are prized). But at this small size is it worth it? Do the demantoids without horsetail inclusions still have bright color and good dispersion?
I'm thinking of making birthstone earrings representing my sons (garnet and spinel), and like the color combo of the bright green w the pinky purple spinels.


These are the stones I'm considering:


Earrings something like this:


Any info appreciated!

Horsetails used to be proof that the stones were Russian (the most highly prized location for these gems), but some stones from the Middle East show horsetails too. If the horsetails are too numerous, they can also impede the clarity, and dispersion is an important characteristic for these stones. You can’t show fine dispersion with a cloudy gem. I would just look for the best color and cutting I could afford, and make sure the color shift is not too muddy in natural light. Some stones have an unappealing color shift in natural light.

While the finest stones came from the Urals in Russia, this lighter yellowish green is not the prized color from that location. They are pretty though, but do not overpay for horsetail inclusions. HTH.

 

[JackTrick]

Horsetails are often a sign of Russian origin. Russian origin is often associated with a prized color of demantoid.

It’s kind of like Kashmir sapphires. Kashmir sapphires are prized because of the type of color, saturation, and silkiness they are capable of. If it’s Kashmir and looks like garbage, it’s still garbage.

If it has horsetails but not the prized color, then it has an appeal to certain collectors, but go with what you like the appearance of.

 

[Nosean]

They can make rhe stone sleepy - not good course it reduce the sparkling and dispersion.

The are a diagnostic feature for the lower grade russian course namibian and madagascar demantoid look quite similar. The better and best qualities from Russia have a unique color so normally you don’t need the horsetail. Iranian demantoid has a deeper green too but in my opinion they have and fat oily color.

Only canadian demantoid shows horsetail close to the russian ones. The pakistany stones look different.

Video shows russian demantoid color 1 and 2. Color much better in real life...

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[Seaglow]

I actually checked the demantoid booth during the last Bangkok fair from a Russian producer. The horsetails are collectibles, priced higher that less sparklier stones without horsetails. But the top products that are sold highest are the ones with good colors that are clean and sparkly. And yes, the horsetails make the stones less sparkly. The top color is same as tsavorite’s top color (vivid pure or ”emerald” green) which I bought a small pair of good color with horsetails (they were on the specials, lol), and a small box of calibrated, nice cut yellow greens sized at 1.0mm which I don’t see anyone doing this small for stones from other sources which I understand is painstaking to do (sparkles like green diamonds). I have demantoids of African origin that sparkle like crazy but they are yellow greens. I haven’t seen an African stone that’s top green. If you like the yellow greens, it’s more economical to go clean African stone - not sure you would be even able to tell the difference on sources when it comes to the yellow greens, just make sure you select ones without a brown cast which tend to occur in African and Pakistani stones. But if you go Russian, the top greens that are clean is what I recommend, the color is almost always indicative of a Russian origin unless a new source is found (with substantial production) with the closest color.

 

[soxfan]

I actually checked the demantoid booth during the last Bangkok fair from a Russian producer. The horsetails are collectibles, priced higher that less sparklier stones without horsetails. But the top products that are sold highest are the ones with good colors that are clean and sparkly. And yes, the horsetails make the stones less sparkly. The top color is same as tsavorite’s top color (vivid pure or ”emerald” green) which I bought a small pair of good color with horsetails (they were on the specials, lol), and a small box of calibrated, nice cut yellow greens sized at 1.0mm which I don’t see anyone doing this small for stones from other sources which I understand is painstaking to do (sparkles like green diamonds). I have demantoids of African origin that sparkle like crazy but they are yellow greens. I haven’t seen an African stone that’s top green. If you like the yellow greens, it’s more economical to go clean African stone - not sure you would be even able to tell the difference on sources when it comes to the yellow greens, just make sure you select ones without a brown cast which tend to occur in African and Pakistani stones. But if you go Russian, the top greens that are clean is what I recommend, the color is almost always indicative of a Russian origin unless a new source is found (with substantial production) with the closest color.

I'd love an eternity band with that melee!!!

 

[Nosean]

I actually checked the demantoid booth during the last Bangkok fair from a Russian producer. The horsetails are collectibles, priced higher that less sparklier stones without horsetails. But the top products that are sold highest are the ones with good colors that are clean and sparkly. And yes, the horsetails make the stones less sparkly. The top color is same as tsavorite’s top color (vivid pure or ”emerald” green) which I bought a small pair of good color with horsetails (they were on the specials, lol), and a small box of calibrated, nice cut yellow greens sized at 1.0mm which I don’t see anyone doing this small for stones from other sources which I understand is painstaking to do (sparkles like green diamonds). I have demantoids of African origin that sparkle like crazy but they are yellow greens. I haven’t seen an African stone that’s top green. If you like the yellow greens, it’s more economical to go clean African stone - not sure you would be even able to tell the difference on sources when it comes to the yellow greens, just make sure you select ones without a brown cast which tend to occur in African and Pakistani stones. But if you go Russian, the top greens that are clean is what I recommend, the color is almost always indicative of a Russian origin unless a new source is found (with substantial production) with the closest color.

Have you seen iranian demantoide too?

Some are really amazing.

 

[Seaglow]

Have you seen iranian demantoide too?

Some are really amazing.

I’ve only seen them a couple of times so I can‘t make any substantial comment on them - a pleasant hue once and too dark the other time. Also, I hardly see them. Very few and far in between.

 

[Seaglow]

Just for fun....the horsetails on the small pair...one shows nicely on the crown, the other can be seen on a tilted pavilion.

 

[Nosean]

Super color!

 

[CHRISTY-DANIELLE]

I just got the little demantoids and they are exactly the color i wanted, so I'm happy! I see no issues in any lighting, and they are firey and gorgeous in the sun.
Indoor artificial light:

Indoor, natural light:


And outside, in the sun:

 

[voce]

That's a pretty, sphene like color. Not the expensive green Russian stuff, but they look rather sparkly! Congrats!