About Spessartite?

Earlier, its production was quite limited and was therefore regarded as the collector’s gemstone. But now with the discovery of new mines, it has entered the mainstream of the international jewellery industry. It is admired by collectors, jewellery designer and gem lovers. Apart from its beauty, this gemstone is also recognised for bringing countless healing benefits for the one who wears it.

• Western astrology recommends Spessartite birthstone for Capricorn sign.
• Jewellery experts describe Spessartite as one of the most beautiful stones one would ever wear on their finger. Its citrus orange color can instantly add an element of fun into any look. The high durability of Spessartite gemstone makes it a suitable gemstone for daily wear jewellery.

Spessartite Benefits

Spessartite is hugely admired for its unique color and brilliant sparkle. But its real value lies in what the gem healers and astrologers tell about its healing properties that can bring numerous benefits for the wearer.

• Cures Reproductive & Digestive Ailments

   – According to the gem therapist, the healing properties of natural Spessartite stone can bring huge benefits for the people suffering from reproductive or digestive ailments, food intolerances, psychological issues etc. Its energies help the wearer to gain confidence and get over the fears of life.

• Boosts Creativity & Imagination Power

   – Chakra healing therapies connect Spessartite gemstone with the ‘Sacral Chakra’ and the ‘Solar Plexus Chakra’. It is believed that wearing the Spessartite gemstone helps to align the energies of these two Chakras that helps to balance one’s creative abilities and willpower.

• Promotes Inner Growth & Spirituality

   – Astrologers find Spessartite gemstone as an effective aid for people facing problem in concentrating while doing meditation. Its calming energies help the person to stay calm and focus while doing spiritual activities.

Spessartite Quality

With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, Spessartite can be a wonderful gemstone for jewelry especially engagement rings, wedding rings, pendants, and charm bracelets. It retains its beauty for a longer time, so can be passed from generation to generation. In the market, the availability of good quality Spessartite is quite limited. Therefore, one must consider the following factors very carefully while purchasing a Spessartite, to eliminate any future surprises and buy the best quality Spessartite gemstone.

• Origin

   – Premium quality Spessartite Garnet rough comes from many countries including Namibia, Nigeria, Australia, Brazil, Madagascar, California, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Zambia and Tanzania. As long as the color and clarity are good, Spessartite from any origin is worth buying. Some exclusive origin varieties of Spessartite such as the Namibian Spessartite Garnet (trade name - ‘Mandarin Spessartite’), Nigerian Spessartite and Zambian Garnet (trade name - ‘Tangerine Spessartite’) often draw more attention of both the traders and the buyers with their bright luminous color and sheer good size.

• Color

   – The striking orange color of Spessartite makes it a unique member of the Garnet family. It comes in the various shades of orange ranging from warm yellow-orange to bright peachy orange and deep reddish orange. According to the gem experts, the pure, bright orange or the peachy orange Spessartite garnet (Mandarin Spessartite Garnet) are considered most desirable and quite valuable.

• Clarity

   – Being a Type II clarity stone, Spessartite gemstones are likely to have minor inclusions that may be visible from the naked eyes. Feathers, colourless fibres of tirodit and 2-phase liquid inclusions, rutile needles are some common type of natural inclusions found inside Spessartite crystals. Eye clean Spessartite gemstones can be found but they are exceedingly rare and hold in high regard.

• Cut

   – A skilful cutting style not just accentuates the innate beauty and brilliance of the Spessartite Garnet gemstone but also hides the inclusions cleverly in the facets. Spessartite raw stones with good transparency are mostly cut in oval, round, cushion, trillion and emerald cut whereas the highly included raw stones are often shaped into some beautiful round and oval Spessartite cabochons (non-faceted, polished gems).

Spessartite Prices

The price of Spessartite Garnet gemstone is directly proportional to certain factors that define its quality and size. Color and clarity bring the major difference in the Spessartite garnet price. Other important value-determining factors are origin, cut and carat weight.

• Color

   –The most valuable natural Spessartite display a pure, fiery orange hue complimented with a vitreous lustre. In the market, the dark reddish-orange or brownish orange Spessartite are more frequently available and therefore available at more reasonable prices.

• Clarity

  – Spessartite Garnet value remains unaffected for gems with few inclusions which are not visible from naked eyes and doesn’t interfere with the beauty of the gemstone. But when the inclusions exceed a certain limit, it causes a considerable reduction in the overall worth of the Spessartite stone.

• Cut

   – Just like the other rare gem varieties, the rule for pricing in regards with the cutting style is equally applicable for Spessartite as well. The cutting styles that involve more wastage of rough create an increase in the gem’s overall price. Spessartite garnet prices are often higher for gems in fancy shapes (brilliant cut, emerald cut, cushion cut etc.) because of the weight loss involved in their cutting process.

• Carat weight

   – Although the large size, raw Spessartite Garnet stones are found in nature, it is difficult to find them free from inclusions and with uniformly distributed color. Therefore, the Spessartite Garnet cost per carat increases exponentially for good quality stones in the bigger size. But this rule is not applicable to the highly included pieces as their price accelerates linearly with the increases in size.

• Origin

   – Due to its impressive orange hue and immense rarity (mines are closed), Namibian Spessartite value has gained a good hike in prices in the past few years. Nigerian Spessartite which is distinguished by their deep orange hue and big size, is the next most valuable origin variety. Those looking for more budget-friendly options can consider the orangish red Spessartite Garnet gems from Brazil, Mozambique and Madagascar which are available at comparatively cheaper prices.