Rhodolite garnet....I think.

[ksinger]

...at least that''s what I''ve been told. This was my mom''s. I had the bail, which was nearly worn through, re-built last week and now I can wear it. I love the pink cast to it.

Here''s one in bright lighting (dirty stone! already!)....

 

[marcy]

It''s possible that is a rhodolite - they are generally a raspberry color. They have topaz that color but I doubt that stone was on the market when your mom bought this pendant. Your pendant is very pretty and how nice to wear something that belonged to your mom.

 

[ksinger]

She does know it is garnet....rhodolite? Shrug. She wasn''t sure. She doesn''t remember how much she paid for it, but I know got it at least 15 years ago, maybe longer. I just know I love it. It is quite a nice little pendant. I think the color (which naturally isn''t perfect in the pic) actually has a touch of tawny color to it. Like sunlight through a glass of tawny port....( how''s THAT for a color comparison?? LOL!)

 

[movie zombie]

Date: 2/24/2008 4:54:26 PM
Author: ksinger
She does know it is garnet....rhodolite? Shrug. She wasn''t sure. She doesn''t remember how much she paid for it, but I know got it at least 15 years ago, maybe longer. I just know I love it. It is quite a nice little pendant. I think the color (which naturally isn''t perfect in the pic) actually has a touch of tawny color to it. Like sunlight through a glass of tawny port....( how''s THAT for a color comparison?? LOL!)

quiet good actually! looks like a rhodie to me but then pictures can be deceiving. have you though of having a professional verify it for you? it is a nice looking stone.

movie zombie

 

[Richard M.]

Hi Karen,

It''s a very pretty color and the stone is probably so-called rhodolite. Rhodolite is actually a mixture of two other garnet species, almandine and pyrope. Its color can vary a lot depending on the proportions of the "parent" species in any given stone. Pyrope trends more to pink and red while almandine contributes more of a violet or purplish cast. Some rhodolites are almost pure pink, some medium red while others are somewhat or strongly purplish. It''s interesting that the blend of the two species results in lighter, brighter colors than are seen in the the "parents" individually.

My advice is not to worry too much about an exact ID. You know it''s a garnet and you love the color. Garnet ID can drive gemologists a little crazy because garnets are a large group of individual minerals that mix readily with one another. Untangling their "heredity" really requires sophisticated chemical analysis. Just enjoy your pretty garnet.

Richard M.

 

[ksinger]

Date: 2/25/2008 2:29:46 AM
Author: Richard M.
Hi Karen,

It''s a very pretty color and the stone is probably so-called rhodolite. Rhodolite is actually a mixture of two other garnet species, almandine and pyrope. Its color can vary a lot depending on the proportions of the ''parent'' species in any given stone. Pyrope trends more to pink and red while almandine contributes more of a violet or purplish cast. Some rhodolites are almost pure pink, some medium red while others are somewhat or strongly purplish. It''s interesting that the blend of the two species results in lighter, brighter colors than are seen in the the ''parents'' individually.

My advice is not to worry too much about an exact ID. You know it''s a garnet and you love the color. Garnet ID can drive gemologists a little crazy because garnets are a large group of individual minerals that mix readily with one another. Untangling their ''heredity'' really requires sophisticated chemical analysis. Just enjoy your pretty garnet.

Richard M.

Thanks to both MZ and Richard for the responses. I really am just enjoying wearing it. It''s an 8x10 BTW, just so you know.

Yeah, I did some quick googling of garnet and found just what you are saying about it possibly being a mixture of 2 different types of garnet. I promise not to drive some poor gemologist to drink trying to find out the exact proportions of exactly WHAT.....OK? I''m just going to wear it.

And Richard, I''m all hot to have the time to browse your site. I have to go to work here shortly, but I intend to take a look. Looks like you have some cool stuff.

I''ll try to post some pics taken of a cool citrine I''ve had for ages, and the new amethyst I bought from a local jeweler who is going out of business. It''s a lovely deep winey purple - 12x12 cushion w/checkerboard top. MMmmmm!!