WHAT IS MERELANI COLOR CHANGE GARNET?
With a shifting palette of color, Merelani color change garnet transitions from warm champagne to a deep wine hue. The word 'garnet' comes from the Latin word 'garanatus,' which means 'seed-like,' in reference to pomegranate fruit seeds. Though the color change variety of garnet is relatively new, garnet stones, in general, have been widely known for thousands of years.
Named after its mining locality, the Merelani Hills of Tanzania, color change garnet is among the rarest and most valuable member of the garnet mineral family. A hybrid-mix of pyrope and spessartine, Merelani color change garnet is also known as pyrope-spessartine garnet. The golden champagne and purple hues of this exotic gemstone create exciting jewelry pieces that are quickly gaining popularity in the market.
Determining Merelani Color Change Garnet Value
Is Merelani color change garnet valuable? The value of colored stones is typically determined by a combination of its color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. It is no different when determining what Merelani color change garnet is worth. These guidelines will help you choose stones for your collection.
- Merelani Color Change Garnet Color
Color is the most important quality factor for Merelani color change garnet. It is highly desired for its distinct ability to change color depending on the type of light source with which it is viewed. From warm champagne hues in daylight to a rose pink in incandescent light, the color change is quite intense and dramatic.
The value of this attractive stone depends mostly on the color saturation. Gemstones with vivid and brilliant color-change are considered the most valuable and command a higher price in today’s market.
- Merelani Color Change Garnet Clarity
Merelani color change garnet is typically transparent, but being a Type II gemstone, you can expect to see visible inclusions. These do not affect the value of the stone and are evidence of gems’ natural origin.
Due to its saturation and deep color, most of these gemstones appear eye clean when viewed with the naked eye. A magnifying tool, such as a loupe, will reveal the gem’s natural origin. After cutting and polishing, color change garnet reveals a vitreous finish. This glass-like shine makes the gem sparkle in delightful ways.
Finding an eye-clean color change garnet stone in large sizes is hard and thus is relatively more valuable and commands a very high price.
- Merelani Color Change Garnet Cut
Merelani color change garnets are typically faceted to maximize its color shift ability. They’re frequently produced in round and oval shapes. Cutters must carefully position these gems so that the stone looks its best when viewing it face-up.
- Merelani Color Change Garnet Carat
The better the cut, color, and clarity of the stone, the higher the value. Merelani color change garnets from Shop LC weigh under one carat in total weight. The standard sizes found are 3x6 millimeters in round shape, and 4x3 mm to 8x6 mm in oval when finished.
Merelani Color Change Garnet Treatment
Merelani color change garnets are not treated in any way.
Caring for Merelani Color Change Garnet
Merelani color change garnet ranks 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, a good choice for stylish jewelry. With a good toughness to protect from accidental chips or breaks, it’s a great choice for a durable gem to wear daily, or simply whenever you like. Even so, color change garnets are beautiful stones for all types of jewelry and with proper care will last for generations.
Wash your color change garnet pieces in a solution of mild dish soap and lukewarm water using a soft cloth or brush to remove dust, fingerprints and other grime. Rinse stones in cool, clean water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Avoid the use of harsh household chemicals and prolonged exposure to extreme heat when cleaning color change garnet stones. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not recommended for this gem.
Always store these vibrant gems inside a fabric-lined box or wrapped in a soft cloth. They should be stored separately from other jewels in your collection to avoid accidental scratches or other damage.
Who Can Wear Merelani Color Change Garnet?
Being one of the rarest, most interesting and unique of all gemstones, Merelani color change garnet is highly coveted by collectors.
Due to its color-changing ability, this astounding gem has become a preferred choice for jewelry and looks amazing with almost any color palette. It can be worn in many forms such as rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, pins and pendants. With excellent hardness, brilliance and durability, color change garnet tends to attract high-concept jewelry designs, rather than mainstream jewelry applications.
How Does Color Change Garnet Compare to Other Color Change Gemstones?
When you compare color change garnet to other color-changing gemstones, the main difference you’ll see is the color. Color change garnet ranges from deep red to tones of orange and brown to vibrant greens to subtle tinges of pink and purple.
While alexandrite exhibit color changes from bluish mossy green in sunlight to prominent red shade with a tinge of raspberry in incandescent lighting.
Alexite is also known for amazing color changing abilities. The color change usually shifts from blue in natural light to purple in artificial lighting. This stone also occurs in an autumn range, shifting from green to orange.
It’s important for the lighting to be correct for a color changing gemstone to shift between shades. If you own one of these gems, then make sure to observe them in every type of light. These color changing gemstones give out a mystical beauty where it’s almost like you are wearing multiple gemstones in one!
Where Does Merelani Color Change Garnet Come From?
Shop LC sources this variety of garnet from the Merelani foothills of Tanzania. Merelani color change garnets are very rare. Mostly, a handful of specimens are found, when they are found at all, making larger finds fortunate indeed.
How is Merelani Color Change Garnet Mined?
Mining of Merelani color change garnet has ceased, and future supply remains unknown. Shop LC sources fascinating color change garnets from a trusted Hong Kong vendor.
However, in Tanzania, a variety of methods are used in mining Merelani color change garnets. Large-scale mining operations use machinery for extracting the stone from large open pits. On the other side, artisanal miners employ hand tools when digging the stone from the ground. Most of the production is also done through alluvial mining, where natural forces, such as rain or flooding, carries gravel, rocks, and other debris away from its original source. Miners typically comb over alluvial deposits near bodies of water, such as rivers or lakes. It’s a painstaking process, where buckets of silt, gravel, and rocks are carefully washed by panning in the hopes of discovering rough gemstone. It’s then sorted, and promising material undergoes inspection.
Merelani Color Change Garnet Properties
What Does Merelani Color Change Garnet Mean?
According to legends, garnets are aieved to protect children from drowning and was thought to be a potent anecdote against poison. In medieval times, people used garnets to ease depression, ward off bad dreams, soothe arthritis, and alleviate liver ailments.
Garnet is considered a traveler's stone. Ancient explorers and travelers wore garnets as an amulet to inspire success in commerce and ensure safe journeys. It is thought of as a powerful talisman, capable of illuminating the night and dispelling evil spirits.
Merelani color change garnet is believed to alleviate arthritis, varicose veins, backache, liver disorders and help prevent hemorrhages.
Merelani color change garnets make a wonderful keepsake as they inspire commitment and love, as well as protects the wearer from nightmares and depression.
Disclaimer: Use of any stone or mineral is not a substitute for professional medical care or treatment, and nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information provided should not be used to treat any illness, injury, medical condition, or ailment without prior consultation with a qualified health professional.
Is Merelani Color Change Garnet a Birthstone?
Garnet is the official birthstone for January. Merelani color change garnet represents a unique variant on this gem.
Merelani Color Change Garnet Facts
- Merelani color change garnet ranks 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
- This variety of garnet displays a transition of color from champagne to purple.
- Shop LC sources our supply from a trusted Hong Kong vendor as it is no longer actively mined.
- Merelani color change garnet is a not treated or enhanced in any way.
- It is also referred to as color change pyrope-spessartine garnet.