Garnet

Most people associate garnets with deep, dark red tones, but nature offers a far more vibrant and diverse palette of this remarkable gemstone. From the electric green of tsavorite to the fiery orange of spessartine, garnets exhibit a breathtaking spectrum of colors. Their unique hues and optical brilliance make them some of the most treasured gemstones in fine jewelry.

Colors and characteristics of garnet

Here are the most valuable and sought-after garnet varieties in the global gemstone market:

• Tsavorite – A striking green grossular garnet, tsavorite boasts a vivid neon-green hue, often compared to emerald but with higher dispersion. Discovered in 1967 in Kenya’s Tsavo National Reserve, this rare gemstone is mined in Kenya and northern Tanzania and remains one of the most valuable garnet varieties.

• Rhodolite – Known for its rich raspberry-red to deep purplish-pink shades, rhodolite is primarily sourced from Madagascar, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Sri Lanka. Stones with pure, saturated raspberry tones are highly coveted, particularly in step-cut designs that enhance their brilliance.
  
• Umbalite – A rare garnet variety from the Umba River Valley in northern Tanzania, umbalite is distinguished by its vivid manganese-rich color, which is seldom found in other garnets. Its vibrant, luminous quality makes it a collector’s gem
• Spessartine – Famous for its fiery neon-orange color, spessartine garnets can reach strong saturation in their highly prized “Fanta” trade name. These gemstones often contain moderate inclusions and are mined in Namibia and Nigeria.
• Malaya Garnet – This unique garnet variety exhibits a fascinating color shift, transitioning from orange in daylight to pinkish-red under incandescent light. This phenomenon is caused by trace amounts of chromium and vanadium. Malaya garnets are exceptionally rare and are found in select deposits across Tanzania, Kenya, and Madagascar.
• Color-Change Garnets – Some of the rarest garnets, these gemstones shift in color depending on the lighting—appearing green in daylight and red under artificial light. Their mesmerizing optical effect rivals that of alexandrites, making them highly desirable. These garnets are primarily sourced from Madagascar and Sri Lanka.
• Demantoid – A green variety of andradite garnet, demantoid is known for its extraordinary dispersion, surpassing that of diamonds. It is instantly recognizable by its distinctive “horse-tail” inclusions. The finest demantoids come from Russia’s Ural Mountains and are considered among the most valuable garnets in the world.

Garnets at SORA 

Garnets play a distinctive role in SORA’s collections, bringing vibrant color and depth to designs such as Colored Dew, Prince Mish-Mish, Metropolis, and Daily Gems. In the "Mandarin Sky" set, the fiery brilliance of Fanta-colored spessartine is beautifully paired with South Sea golden pearls, creating a striking contrast that highlights the rich intensity of both hues. Meanwhile, in the "Powder" ensemble from the Spheres collection, delicate Malaya garnets harmonize with freshwater and Tahitian pearls, achieving a perfect balance between bold and subtle tones. Each piece showcases garnets in a way that enhances their natural beauty, making them an integral part of SORA’s signature aesthetic.

Explore the designs in our section: Jewelry with garnets.