Pyrope Garnet
$44.95
Item number:
1
Pyrope garnet is a magnesium-aluminum silicate mineral Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ famous for its rich, fiery red coloration. It is the only member of the garnet family that consistently displays red hues in nature. The name comes from the Greek word pyropos, meaning "fiery-eyed".
Key Characteristics and Properties
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- Color: Typically vivid red to dark, blood-red, sometimes with orange or purple undertones.
- Hardness: Scores a durable 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it excellent for everyday wear in rings and pendants.
- Refractive Index & Luster: Ranges from 1.72 to 1.76 with a brilliant, glassy (vitreous) luster.
- Origin: Historically sourced from the Czech Republic (Bohemia), with significant modern deposits found in Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, and the USA.
Notable Varieties
- Bohemian Garnet: The classic dark red pyrope found in the Czech Republic, which sparked a massive jewelry trend during the Victorian era.
- Chrome Pyrope: A variety containing trace amounts of chromium. This element creates an intensely vivid red and can cause the gemstone to fluoresce under UV light.
- Rhodolite: A beautiful rose-red to purplish-red garnet that is structurally a mix of pyrope and almandine.