Demantoid is one of the most supreme and radiant gems available. The name comes from the Dutch and refers to the diamond-like appearance. The demantoid is in fact a member of the andradite family of garnets and is considered the finest of them all and is also thought to be the most precious of all gems-stones. The attraction of this gem is the rarity combined with luminosity.



Favoured by Faberge

The demantoid was found in the Ural mountains of Russia in 1868 and became one of Carl Faberge's favourite gemstones to be used in his creations. He was drawn to its brilliance and often used it in his exquisite jewellery creations. With the nightmare of WW1, the stone quickly disappeared with only rare appearances.

Demantoid garnets have also been found in Korea and the Congo but the quality is not to the same standard as those from Russia.

Then in the mid-1990s, demantoid was found in Namibia by a wondering goat-herder. Now the gemstones are hand-quarried from the rock to ensure that the precious rock is not lost.

Expensive Inclusions

The stones mined in Russia have distinctive horsehair-like inclusions. The more pounced, the greater the value. Surprisingly, this is the opposite of what is normally the case with gems.

Unfortunately, the stones found in Namibia are absent of these inclusions, which means they are much cheaper.

Other types of garnet include Almandine, Andradite, Grossular, Tsavorite, Pyrope, Spessartine, Uvarovite. Garnets are also the birthstone for the month of January and is also thought to assist night vision and ensure success.