Are you ready to discover the gem that rocks the gemstone world? Here to steal the show, Garnet is a fiery and versatile gemstone that’s been admired for centuries. And its value goes beyond its stunning appearance.
Garnet is like a chameleon of the gem world: it exists in virtually every color that can suit any taste or style. From deep reds to bright greens, this gemstone has something for everyone.
But Garnet is not only pretty on the outside. It also carries a rich history and symbolic meaning. It’s believed to enhance one’s creativity and help balance emotions, making it a valuable tool for personal growth, too. If this has piqued your interest on just how valuable this gemstone can get, read on and discover how much Garnet is truly worth.
What Garnet Is
A gemstone that’s like a box of chocolates— you never know what you’re gonna get! That’s Garnet for you. It’s a group of silicate minerals that share a common crystal structure, but come in a variety of colors. The name “Garnet” comes from the Latin word “granatus,” which means grain or seed because the crystals resemble pomegranate seeds.
Formed deep within the Earth’s crust, Garnet was brought to the surface through volcanic activity, erosion, and other geological processes. Today, this gemstone remains to be admired for its rich history, symbolic meaning, and stunning appearance. Knowing Garnet’s value entails for us to discuss its different types, as follows.
Almandine
Known for its deep red to reddish-brown color, Almandine is one of the most common and popular types of Garnet. It’s named after the ancient city of Alabanda in Turkey, where it was first discovered.
Almandine is found in many parts of the world, including India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and the United States. It’s often used in jewelry, especially as a center stone in rings, pendants, and earrings. It’s also used in industrial abrasives, such as sandpaper and grinding wheels, because of its hardness and toughness.
How much is almandine worth
Since Almandine exists in different intensities of hues, there are also varying price points for this gem. Almandine in Top Color is priced at $1 to $40 per carat.
Andradite
Andradite is known for its rich green to yellow-green color. But did you know that it can also appear in black, brown, or gray colors? It’s named after the Brazilian mineralogist, J.B. de Andrade e Silva, who first described it in 1868.
Andradite has a high refractive index, which gives it a brilliant sparkle and luster. Just look at its photo! It’s one of the rarest and most valuable types of Garnet, prized for its rarity and beauty.
How much is andradite worth
The price of a fine-colored Andradite ranges from $150 to $500 per carat, which is evidently more expensive than an Almandine.
Demantoid
Demantoid is known for its brilliant green color and high dispersion, which gives it a “fire” that rivals that of diamonds. It was first discovered in Russia in the mid-19th century and quickly became a favorite of royalty and nobility around the world. Demantoid is named after its diamond-like appearance, with “demant” meaning diamond in German.
This gem can only be found in few locations around the world, including Russia, Italy, and Namibia, which makes it the rarest and most sought-after Garnet type.
How much is demantoid worth
Because of its rarity, Demantoid is relatively more expensive compared to the first two that we discussed. This Garnet’s price ranges from $200 to $18,000 per carat.
Grossular
Grossular is known for its wide range of colors, including green, yellow, orange, brown, and even pink. It’s named after the Latin word “grossularia,” which means gooseberry, because this gemstone resembles the shape and color of the fruit.
How much is grossular worth
Since there is Grossular in every color, its price also varies depending on it.
Mint green-colored Grossular, also called Merelani, is priced at $140 to $1,020 per carat. Yellow/orange Grossular’s price is at $8 to $120 per carat. Meanwhile, yellow/green Grossular’s value is set at $25 to $750. For all the rest of the colors, Grossular’s price is at $55 to $400 per carat.
Hessonite
Aside from being known for its warm, earthy colors, including shades of orange, yellow, and brown, Hessonite is also sometimes referred to as cinnamon stone or the “stone of the seers” because of its reputation for enhancing intuition and spiritual awareness.
It’s also believed to enhance a person’s creativity and imagination, promote courage and strength, and provide a sense of calm and balance to the mind and body.
How much is hessonite worth
A fine-colored Hessonite Garnet’s value is set at $15 to $200 per carat, which is not too expensive if you compare it to Demantoid, but also not anywhere close to the price of the affordable Almandine.
Pyrope
Resembling the deep red color or Ruby, Pyrope is often referred to as “Bohemian Garnet” because of its historical use in jewelry making in the Bohemian region of Europe. With a hardness of 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale, this gemstone is durable and suitable for use in many different types of jewelry.
How much is pyrope worth
The price of a Pyrope with fine color is $15 to $25 per carat. On the other hand, Chrome Pyrope, which has chromium oxide that causes its violet-red color, is a bit more expensive at $40 to $120 per carat.
Rhodolite
Rhodolite is a hybrid of Pyrope and Almandine Garnets. It was first discovered in the United States in the late 1800s.
Because of its stunning hue, it’s often used in jewelry, especially as a center stone in rings, pendants, and earrings. It’s also not very rare, with some samples found in Sri Lanka, Brazil, and Tanzania.
How much is rhodolite worth
Depending on cut, Rhodolite is actually fairly priced. A cabochon Rhodolite’s price is $3 to $45 per carat, while a faceted Rhodolite’s value is set at $20 to $150 per carat.
Spessartite
Known for its vibrant orange to reddish-brown color, Spessartite was first discovered in Spessart, Germany in the late 19th century and has since been found in many parts of the world, including Africa, Brazil, and the United States.
Aside from being largely used in jewelry, Spessartite is also prized for its unique color (sometimes, it comes in Spessartite Red or Mandarin Garnet) and its ability to provide a sense of energy and vitality to the wearer.
How much is spessartite worth
The price of Spessartite varies depending on color. For Spessartite Reds, the prices can go from $60 to $300 per carat (Darker Reds) to $150 to 500 per carat (African) to $80 to $1,200 (Little 3 Mine).
On the other hand, the price of a Mandarin Garnet, which exhibits a lively orange color, ranges from $150 to $1,500 per carat.
Tsavorite
Tsavorite is a rare and valuable type of Garnet that’s prized for its vivid green color. It’s named after Tsavo National Park in Kenya, where it was first discovered in 1967. It’s composed of calcium, aluminum, and silica.
Tsavorite is often used in high-end jewelry because of its brilliance, clarity, and durability, as well as its unique green color, which ranges from a bright, vivid green to a more subtle, forest green.
How much is tsavorite worth
Rarity commands high price, so Tsavorite is quite expensive compared to its other Garnet counterparts. Its current price is at $400 to $4,200 per carat.
Uvarovite
Uvarovite is a rare and distinctive gem that’s known for its vibrant green color and its crystalline structure. It’s the only type of Garnet that’s composed entirely of calcium and chromium. It’s named after Russian statesman Count Sergei Semenovich Uvarov, who was a patron of the sciences in the 19th century.
Compared to the other types of Garnets that are often used as center stone, Uvarovite is a small and delicate gemstone that’s often used as an accent stone in jewelry instead.
How much is uvarovite worth
A druzy Uvarovite is priced at $1 to $3 per carat, so despite its rarity, it’s relatively cheaper than any other Garnet type.
Mali
Did you know that Mali is a relatively new and rare type of Garnet? It was first discovered in Mali, West Africa in the 1990s. Mali is a hybrid of two other Garnet types: Grossular and Andradite.
Mali garnet ranges in color from yellowish-orange to yellow-brown, and sometimes exhibits a unique greenish hue that’s highly valued by collectors. It’s known for its brilliance, high dispersion, and excellent clarity, which make it a popular gemstone for use in jewelry, especially in rings and pendants.
How much is mali worth
Because of its rarity and being a relatively new type of Garnet, Mali costs considerably more than the more common ones. Its price is at $60 to $1,800 per carat.
Malaia (Malaya)
Malaia, also known as Malaya, is a rare and unusual type of Garnet. It was first discovered in the early 20th century in Tanzania, and is also found in other parts of Africa, as well as in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Brazil.
Like Mali, it’s a hybrid of two types of Garnet, which are Pyrope and Spessartine. It’s known for its wide range of colors, which can include shades of pink, orange, yellow, brown, and green. It’s also prized for its high brilliance, excellent clarity, and exceptional hardness.
How much is malaia (malaya) worth
Because of its stunning beauty and rarity compared to other types, a Malaia Garnet’s value ranges from $120 to $240 per carat.
Why Garnet Is So Expensive
For centuries, Garnet has been prized for its beauty and value. This stunning gem comes in a range of colors, from deep red to bright green, and everything in between. But why is it so highly valued? Let’s take a closer look.
One reason for Garnet’s high value is its durability. With a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, it’s relatively resistant to scratches and other forms of damage. This means that it can be worn every day, without fear of losing its luster or shine.
Another reason is its rarity. While Garnet is a relatively common mineral, gem-quality Garnet is much rarer. This is especially true for certain types, such as Tsavorite and Demantoid, which are found only in small quantities in specific locations around the world.
But perhaps the biggest reason why Garnet is really valued is its beauty. Whether you prefer the deep red of Almandine or the bright green of Tsavorite, there’s no denying the stunning visual appeal of this gemstone. And because it’s available in so many different colors, there’s something to suit every taste and style.
Despite this, Garnet’s value goes beyond its physical beauty. It’s also believed to have a range of metaphysical properties, such as promoting balance and harmony, enhancing creativity and intuition, and providing a sense of energy and vitality to the mind and body. These properties make it a popular choice for those seeking a gemstone with both aesthetic and spiritual value.
With its durability, rarity, and beauty, it’s no wonder why Garnet is so highly valued by collectors and enthusiasts around the world.
How To Determine The Value Of Garnet
Just like any other gemstones, there are plenty of factors that influence the value of Garnets. Here are the most prominent of these:
Type
The Type of a Garnet significantly impacts its price, as we’ve been discussing since the beginning of the article. Garnets come in a range of types and colors, with each variety possessing unique characteristics that affect its value.
Color
The color of a Garnet is the most important factor in determining its price, next to its type. Generally, the more intense and saturated the color, the higher the value. For example, a deep red Almandine will generally be more valuable than a lighter pink Rhodolite. Also, red garnets are generally the least expensive, orange and green gems, which are considered rarer, tend to be more expensive.
Other colors of Garnets include pink, yellow, purple, black, colorless, and even color change (or those that changes color depending on light or angle).
Clarity
Garnets with fewer inclusions (internal flaws or blemishes) are generally more valuable than those with more inclusions. But there are certain inclusions that make a Garnet more valuable than others, so that’s why we also included it as a factor below.
Inclusions
Inclusions of cat’s eye or four and six-star rays can greatly add to the value of Garnet. These inclusions create unique optical phenomena that add to the visual appeal of the gemstone, making it more valuable and desirable to collectors and buyers.
Cat’s eye inclusions, also known as chatoyancy, create a narrow band of reflected light that resembles the slit eye of a cat. Meanwhile, four and six-star ray inclusions create a similar optical effect, where rays of light radiate outwards from a central point within the gemstone, creating a star-like appearance.
Cut
A well-cut Garnet will reflect light in a way that showcases its color and brilliance, while a poorly cut one will not be as visually appealing, that’s why the cut of a Garnet also has great effect on its value.
Carat and Size
Like many gemstones, the price of garnet increases with its carat and size. The larger and the higher the carat of the Garnet is, the more valuable it tends to be.
Treatments and Enhancements
Common treatments of Garnet include heat treatment, irradiation, and coating. All these can cause the gemstone to appear more vibrant and intense, improve its luster, color, and texture, and enhance its color, which can increase its overall value.
Despite this, untreated Garnet is still typically the most valuable, as it’s considered to be the most authentic and rare.
Garnet Price By Type
Garnet’s price can vary widely depending on several factors, but the most important one is its type. Let’s take a closer look at how the type of a Garnet can influence its price.
Garnet values by type
| Type and Color | Price (Per Carat) |
| Almandine – Top Color | $1 – $40 |
| Andradite – Fine Color | $150 – $500 |
| Demantoid | $200 – $18,000 |
| Grossular – Mint Green (Merelani) | $140 – $1,020 |
| Grossular – Yellow/Orange | $8 – $120 |
| Grossular – Yellow/Green | $25 – $750 |
| Hessonite – Fine Color | $15 – $200 |
| Pyrope – Fine Color | $15 – $25 |
| Chrome Pyrope | $40 – $120 |
| Rhodolite – Fine Color Faceted | $15 – $180 |
| Rhodolite – Fine Color Cabochon | $3 – $45 |
| Spessartite Reds – Little 3 Mine | $80 – $1,200 |
| Spessartite Reds – African | $150 – $500 |
| Spessartite Reds – Darker Reds | $60 – $300 |
| Mandarin Garnet – Fine Color | $150 – $1,500 |
| Tsavorite – Fine Color | $400 – $4,200 |
| Uvarovite | $1 – $3 |
| Mali | $60 – $1,800 |
| Malaia | $120 – $240 |
As you can see, the value and price of Garnet vary widely depending on its type. Here are some more current market prices of this gemstone depending on certain distinguishing factors.
| Name | Distinguishing Feature | Price (Per Carat) |
| Star Garnet | 4-Ray Star Inclusion | $20 – $65 |
| Star Garnet | 6-Ray Star Inclusions | $20 – $120 |
| Color Change Garnet | From Africa | $90 – $7,200 |
| Color Change Garnet | From United States | $25 – $100 |
| Cabochon | Common Red to Purple | $1 – $25 |
To give you an idea of how much Garnet is worth based on different kinds of measurements, here’s a table that you can use.
Garnet pricing by unit of measurement
| Measurement | Price |
| A carat of Garnet | $1 to $18,000 |
| A gram of Garnet | $5 to $90,000 |
| An ounce of Garnet | $142 to $2,551,455 |
| A kilogram of Garnet | $5,000 to $90,000,000 |
| A pound of Garnet | $2,268 to $40,823,280 |
| A ton of Garnet | $4,535,925 to $81,646,650,000 |
The Most Expensive Garnet
The most expensive Garnet ever sold is the Mandarin Garnet, which fetched a whopping $2.1 million at auction in 2014. This rare and highly-coveted gemstone is known for its vivid orange color and exceptional clarity.
Mandarin Garnet’s remarkable value can be attributed to several factors. First, the gemstone’s intense and vivid orange hue is rare and highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. Additionally, Mandarin Garnet is a large and flawless gemstone, weighing in at 4.1 carats, which adds to its value.
Its rarity and exceptional quality also played a significant role in its price. Mandarin Garnets are only found in a few locations around the world, and high-quality specimens are rare. This particular gemstone was also graded as being of exceptional quality by the Gemological Institute of America, which further boosted its value.
How To Get An Appraisal On Your Garnet
While this guide will give you a general view of how valuable your Garnet is, knowing its exact worth through a professional appraisal is priceless.
Here are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure that you get an accurate and fair valuation when you get your Garnet appraised:
- Find a reputable appraiser: Look for a gemologist or appraiser with professional credentials and experience appraising gemstones. Check for certifications from organizations such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society (AGS).
- Be prepared: Before your appraisal, gather any documentation you have about your Garnet, such as certificates of authenticity or previous appraisals. Take clear photos of the gemstone from various angles, including any inclusions or imperfections.
- Consider the type and variety of your Garnet: This can have a significant impact on your Garnet’s value. Be sure to provide your appraiser with as much information as possible about your gemstone, including its color, cut, carat weight, and any other identifying characteristics.
- Be honest: Be real about how you obtained the Garnet, as well as any treatments or enhancements it may have undergone. This information can affect its value and help the appraiser provide an accurate assessment.
- Get multiple appraisals: Consider getting multiple appraisals from different appraisers to compare valuations and ensure that you’re getting a fair and accurate assessment of your Garnet’s value.
By following these recommendations and suggestions, you can ensure that you get a reliable and trustworthy appraisal of your gemstone. Good luck!
