namanga garnet fom Kenya?

[chictomato]

Hi there I am on my quest for a bright, fine red garnet and came across the namanga garnet. Can someone provide some details on it? Is it known for it bright crimson red color? or color shift properties? does it stands close to rhodolite or pyrope garnet? is it consider rare? tks!

 

[T L]

Date: 12/21/2009 8:49:19 PM
Author:chictomato
Hi there I am on my quest for a bright, fine red garnet and came across the namanga garnet. Can someone provide some details on it? Is it known for it bright crimson red color? or color shift properties? does it stands close to rhodolite or pyrope garnet? is it consider rare? tks!

I don''t think it''s rare. I''ve seen it sold on ebay for next to nothing, so my gut feeling is that it''s not that rare.

 

[morecarats]

Don''t confuse marketing with gemology. I don''t believe the so-called namanga garnet is a distinct variety of garnet. It looks like ordinary pyrope garnet to me. But only an analysis of its chemical composition could give a definitive answer.

 

[Richard M.]

It''s just another place name posing as a garnet "variety," like Umbalite. Namanga is mainly almandine with some pyrope and the usual minor mix of other species. It cuts pretty rather dark-toned stones but the price should be based on the quality of the finished gem. With proper cutting it can yield very attractive reddish scintillation.

Richard M. (Rick Martin)

 

[chrono]

It is not a particularly valued garnet. The name only tells you the region it is from, not its quality.