Demantoid Garnet
Demantoid garnet gemstones are yet another member of the versatile garnet family which includes tsavorites, hessonites, rhodolites and many more besides, and are most famous for their fire and sparkle.
Demantoid Garnet Colors
Good quality Demantoid Garnet gemstones are always green - caused by the presence of chromium or iron during formation - ranging from a light yellowish tone all the way to an almost emerald deep green.
While the deeper tones of green are very much sought after, the lighter colors show off the Demantoid's famous brilliance and diamond-like luster better so are almost equally desired.
Read more about gemstones colors here
Demantoid Garnet Species
The garnet name covers a wide variety of well known gemstones all sharing a common crystal structure and generally the same chemical components. The most famous varieties include Tsavorite, Malaya, Rhodolite, Hessonite and, of course, Demantoid.
The variations are due to the presence of diverse minerals in different proportions creating garnet types such as almandine, pyrope, spessartite, grossular and andradite.
Demantoids are a form of andradite garnet.
The name 'Demantoid' comes from the French word for diamond, 'demant', and means 'diamond - like' and this refers to the gemstone's outstanding sparkle and fire which actually exceeds diamonds.
Demantoid Garnet Price
Demantoids compete with Tsavorites to be the most valuable of the garnet gemstones and certainly any fine specimen would be a very expensive item.
As usual it is the color that will determine the cost of the gemstone.
Demantoids with an intense green color similar to that found in an emerald will be more valuable than any with a yellow tinge for example.
A lighter color can show off the fire found in demantoids so they will get a better price than darker stones.
Usually internal flaws or inclusions will lessen a gemstone's value dramatically but the famous horsetails in demantoids can increase their cost.
Demantoid Garnet Carat Weight
Finding Demantoid gemstones much bigger than a carat or two is increasingly difficult so as they get bigger, they get substantially more expensive per carat.
While any fine Demantoid weighing less than a carat can cost between $200 and $800 per carat depending on color and clarity, a 2 carat or more gemstone can quickly reach $1000 to $2000 per carat for a really good example.
For more details please refer to our full Garnet Info page here
Demantoid Garnet Treatments
Garnets in general are not known to be treated in any way to improve their appearance other than the usual cutting and polishing. Demantoids are also not thought to be treated although there are suggestions that some material from Russia has had some low heat to improve the color.
Very low heat treatment is very hard to detect and as far as we know Demantoids from other parts of the world are untreated gemstones
Any treatments are clearly and fully disclosed on our product pages.
Where are Demantoid Garnets found?
Demantoid Gemstones were famously discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia and have since been mined in Namibia and Madagascar. There have also been recent discoveries in Iran and Afghanistan.
What jewelry is Demantoid Garnet suitable for?
Demantoid Garnets are rated between 6.5 and 7.5 on Mohs hardness scale and are able to be used in all types of jewelry items.
With the larger, more expensive gemstones, it might be wise to have protective settings for rings as they are more likely to be damaged by knocks and bumps.
Birthstones and Anniversaries
Demantoid Garnet is an official birthstone of January and would make a great gift for anyone who has a birthday in that month.
Demantoid Garnet is the traditional gemstone to celebrate the 2nd wedding anniversary.
