Cut - Fancy Oval Cut PAIR

Size: 4.35 ct total Weight

Treatment: None

Clarity : AAA - Eye Clean

Origin: Africa

About Umbalite Garnet

What is being sold in the market as Umbalite Garnet is actually a Premium (rarer form) ofRhodolite Garnet from Tanzania. Rhodolite is a mixture of Almandite and Pyrope garnets. The Tanzanian material is high quality, with a vivid pinkish-red or purplish-red color. The first deposit of this material was found in the Umba River area of Tanzania, with a second find in the Morogoro area.

While Rhodolite Garnets command a premium value for their incredible depth of colour and gem quality, Umbalites are considered a premium grade even above its sister Rhodolite because of its rarity, colour and limited global quality with so few being mined in The Umba River Region of Tanzania. Umbalite garnets will identify as Rhodolites on a gem appraisal.

About Rhodolite Garnet

Besides its wonderful red colors, Rhodolite Garnet has additional advantages which make it a truly unique and valuable gemstone. There is its hardness of 7 - 7.5, making it suitable for any piece of jewelry. Additionally these gemstones have a high refractive index, giving them an exceptional brilliance.

Rhodolite is the name used to describe the lovely pinkish, purplish or purple-red garnet which is a mixture of Almandite and Pyrope. This rare garnet shows a wonderful velvety red with a fine purple or raspberry colored undertone. This name was first used in the late nineteenth century to describe the new rhododendron shade of garnet discovered in North Carolina.

Unlike the common red garnets which tend towards a very deep red with a brownish secondary hue, rhodolite is lighter and brighter in color. The best specimens are a rich raspberry that can sometimes resemble a rubellite tourmaline.

The distinctive color of Rhodolite Garnet is caused by the presence of iron and chromium. Rhodolite Garnets are not as dark in color as the common Pyrope or Almandine Garnets. Most Rhodolites seen today are African in origin and are bright, transparent Gems. These are probably the most popular garnet seen in fine jewelry today.

Common shades of Rhodolite include red, purplish red and the popular raspberry rhodolite, a rich red-purple with bright lavender highlights.

More On Appraisal Certificates

Appraisal Certificates are done from accredited appraisers and represent the retail insurance replacement value for an item. While many companies do appraisals (such as jewelry stores), it is important to receive an appraisal by a group that does not involve themselves in the buying or selling of Gems or jewelry pieces as to avoid any conflict of interest. We typically use AGL or GS Labs (Gemscan), accredited appraisal companies (with Global Offices) for the Jewelry industry, located in downtown Toronto. We also have a number of Certificates from EGL a global appraisal company to the gem industry whose Toronto offices have since closed down.

An appraisal will assign a monetary value to a Gem or piece of jewelry and is ultimately subjective based on the appraiser's criteria for grading and experience. For this reason, only accredited and experienced appraisers are used to evaluate stones. An appraisal is not an indication of your buying power, that depends on your ability to "wheel and deal" as well as your source of supply and ability to buy in parcel lots or in bulk.

GS allows you to check Appraisal cert numbers online.

Appraisal Company Links:

Gemscan (GS Labs) - http://www.gslaboratories.com/profile.html

AGL - http://www.accurategemlabs.com/

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