Demantoid, The Exotic Garnet
Each time we talk about demantoid being a rare and exotic gem, we are asked a simple question. If demantoid is all that gorgeous, why is it not seen more often. In this report we are going to tell you more, about this awesome gem. To begin with, demantoid is a type of garnet if you wish to be more specific, it belongs to the andradite variety of garnets. The interesting thing about this gemstone is that, many gem and jewelry providers have never seen the gemstone. Demantoid has so many exquisite features that, you will wonder how all that goodness came to be in one single stone.
Let's talk about the name demantoid, this itself highlights one of the most prominent features of the gem. The name demantoid is based on the Dutch word 'demant'. The Dutch word means 'diamond-like' and there really must be something in demantoid garnet that relates it to the diamond. For one thing, both diamonds and demantoid are rare but, keep reading and we will educate you with some fascinating details about this diamond like gemstone.
Let's talk about the name demantoid, this itself highlights one of the most prominent features of the gem. The name demantoid is based on the Dutch word 'demant'. The Dutch word means 'diamond-like' and there really must be something in demantoid garnet that relates it to the diamond. For one thing, both diamonds and demantoid are rare but, keep reading and we will educate you with some fascinating details about this diamond like gemstone.
The demantoid garnets shown in the above image show two color saturations. The gemstone in the front has a medium saturation (medium color) and the demantoid at the back has a higher color saturation. As you might have guessed, demantoid gems are generally in the greenish color range. However exceptions do exist and we will say a few words about those exceptions. It is common for demantoid garnets to have a slight yellowish tinge, some gem lovers feel that this yellow element actually adds to the beauty of this gem. But what is more interesting is when the yellows in a demantoid start to dominate the greens. This can at times get so severe that, the gem appears to be a yellowish brown color with almost no trace of green.
We will not pass judgement on what the 'best' color for demantoid is. Some gem buyers insist on getting a near total green gem while others, crave for that tint of yellow in green demantoid. We also get significant number of queries for yellow demantoid gems, in this case the color request might refer to the saturated (darker) brownish yellow gems too. Besides individual color preference that can differ widely, there is one more fact that makes seasoned gem buyers more willing to accept all demantoid color variations. Unlike many gems that are today treated to enhance their color and clarity, demantoid is an untreated gemstone. This means that the color and clarity of the gem as seen the moment it is brought up from the mines, remains constant even when it arrives at your doorstep.
While initial supply of demantoid was mainly coming out from mines in Russia, the resource is more or less depleted today. Madagascar demantoid garnets, satisfy most demand requirements in current times.
We mentioned that the meaning of the Dutch word 'demant' that gave demantoid garnet it's name is 'diamond-like'. Let us now explain why demantoid truly deserves this name. When you think of a diamond, the first thing that comes to mind is the glitter and flash of the gemstone. In the gem trade, this is referred to as the 'fire' of a diamond. Let us stay non-technical and try to explain how the fire phenomenon is delivered by a diamond. There is one property that is measurable in all gems, this is the dispersion. Basically, it is the ability of a gemstone to split light that enters the stone into various colors. Diamonds have a high dispersion reading, this is why light that enters a diamond is broken up into those amazing rainbow colors. The fire is delivered when, the broken pieces of light of different colors reflect on the facets in the stone and then bounce back towards the top of the stone. This gives you that fire, light burst view when you view a diamond from the top.
You would be aware that few natural gems have the fire that can match a diamond. Demantoid is an exception, the dispersion rating of this gem is even higher than that of a diamond. What this means is that, you get a shower flashing back at you, that is more spectacular than that of a diamond. Just remember one thing that, the best fire of a diamond can be seen in white (colorless) diamonds because there is no base color to distract. In this respect demantoid garnets give a color burst that is quite unique because the reflected light needs to exist side by side, with the color of the gemstone.
There is one more outstanding feature that, can be experienced with only some demantoid gemstones. Some demantoid garnets from the Russian mines, show a very special type of inclusion - this is referred to as the horsetail inclusion. Bunches of well formed asbestos fibres in Russian demantoid can sometimes, have the formation that resembles the tail of the horse. A well formed horse tail inclusion in a demantoid garnet, can send the price of the gem soaring high. What you should however know is that, not all Russian demantoid garnets show horsetail inclusions and, demantoid from other sources have so far never given any indication of having these valuable inclusions.
We do hope that this brief write up has enhanced your knowledge and interested in demantoid garnet gems. More information on this exquisite gemstone can be reviewed at http://www.kaisilver.com/demantoid-gems-12A27-ks-info-01.htm and our support team at sales@kaisilver.com will always be glad to help you with any questions or requirements that you might have.
You would be aware that few natural gems have the fire that can match a diamond. Demantoid is an exception, the dispersion rating of this gem is even higher than that of a diamond. What this means is that, you get a shower flashing back at you, that is more spectacular than that of a diamond. Just remember one thing that, the best fire of a diamond can be seen in white (colorless) diamonds because there is no base color to distract. In this respect demantoid garnets give a color burst that is quite unique because the reflected light needs to exist side by side, with the color of the gemstone.
There is one more outstanding feature that, can be experienced with only some demantoid gemstones. Some demantoid garnets from the Russian mines, show a very special type of inclusion - this is referred to as the horsetail inclusion. Bunches of well formed asbestos fibres in Russian demantoid can sometimes, have the formation that resembles the tail of the horse. A well formed horse tail inclusion in a demantoid garnet, can send the price of the gem soaring high. What you should however know is that, not all Russian demantoid garnets show horsetail inclusions and, demantoid from other sources have so far never given any indication of having these valuable inclusions.
We do hope that this brief write up has enhanced your knowledge and interested in demantoid garnet gems. More information on this exquisite gemstone can be reviewed at http://www.kaisilver.com/demantoid-gems-12A27-ks-info-01.htm and our support team at sales@kaisilver.com will always be glad to help you with any questions or requirements that you might have.