Rhodolite Garnet

Rhodolite Garnet From 2.09 CT 

Rhodolite garnet is a luminous, rose-red to purplish-red variety of garnet that is primarily mined in East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique), Sri Lanka, and the USA (North Carolina). It is highly prized for its brilliant, glowing, "raspberry" or "grape" coloring rather than the dark brown-red of traditional garnets. 

Rhodolite is not a distinct mineral species, but rather an intermediate solid solution between the pyrope and almandine garnet series. Its name derives from the Greek words rhodon ("rose") and lithos ("stone"), a direct nod to its bright, floral pink-to-red color spectrum. 

Key mining locations and their typical yields include:

• Tanzania & Mozambique: Considered by many gemologists to produce the finest, most vibrant raspberry and purplish-red hues in the world.
• Sri Lanka: Historically known for yielding high-clarity, beautifully saturated rhodolite.
• North Carolina, USA: The original discovery site in the late 1890s (Cowee Valley), which helped put this vibrant gemstone on the map.
• Other Locations: Significant commercial deposits are also found in Brazil, Madagascar, India, and Zimbabwe.