Honey-yellow to olive-green (Topazolite) and jet black (titanium-rich Melanite).
Chemical formula
Ca₃Fe³⁺₂(SiO₄)₃ (Calcium Iron Silicate)
Garnet • Andradite
Demantoid Garnet
Yellowish-green to intense emerald-green with fiery rainbow dispersion flashes.
Ca₃Fe³⁺₂(SiO₄)₃ + Cr³⁺Mohs 6.5 – 7.0 Mohs
Mineralogical & Gemological Profile
| Mineral Family | Garnet |
|---|---|
| Mineral Species | Andradite |
| Gemological Variety | Demantoid (Chromium-Bearing Green Andradite Garnet) |
| Chemical Composition | Ca₃Fe³⁺₂(SiO₄)₃ + Cr³⁺ |
| Crystal System | Isometric |
| Mohs Hardness | 6.5 – 7.0 Mohs |
| Specific Gravity | 3.82 – 3.88 |
| Refractive Index | 1.880 – 1.890 (Dispersion 0.057) |
Color Characteristics & Optical Behavior
Yellowish-green to intense emerald-green with fiery rainbow dispersion flashes.
Geological Context & Pakistani / Global Localities
A rare variety of andradite garnet hosted in serpentinized ultramafic rocks in the Kaghan/Sapat region and Balochistan/Waziristan belts of Pakistan, the Ural Mountains of Russia, Iran, and Namibia.
Collector Interest & Rarity Factors
Famous for its diamond-like ('demant-oid') fire and diagnostic chrysotile 'horsetail' inclusions in serpentinite-hosted crystals.
Fine Jewelry Applications
Pendants, earrings, and protective bezel or halo collector rings.
Treatment Considerations & Disclosure
Pakistani, Iranian, and Namibian demantoids are typically unheated; some Russian material receives low-temperature heat treatment.
Care & Cleaning Instructions
Handle with care due to 6.5–7.0 Mohs hardness; clean gently with warm water and mild soap.
Traditional Meaning
Traditional Symbolism & Cultural Heritage
Favored by Peter Carl Fabergé in Russian Imperial jewelry; symbolizes brilliance, prestige, and renewal.
Note: Cultural and birthstone traditions are presented strictly as historical folklore, never as scientifically verified medical or metaphysical effects.
Garnet