Two Antique Genuine Natural Russian One-Third Carat Faceted Blood Red Garnet Rounds.

ORIGIN: The Ural Mountains, Russia. 19th Century.

SIZE: Approximate Diameter: 4mm.

WEIGHT: Approximately 0.61 carats (the pair).

NOTES: Upon request we can set your gemstones as a ring, pendant, or earrings .

DETAIL: The ancients also believed that a garnet could give its wearer guidance in the night, allowing them to see when others could not. Due to its red color, ancient cultures also associated it with blood, and thus garnet was thought to stop bleeding or bloodshed between enemies. Garnet was also worn for protection when traveling. Two gorgeous, blood red faceted garnet gemstones from the Ural Mountains of Russia, where the production of garnet is many centuries old. These gemstones were hand faceted by a 19th century Russian artisan into these brilliant cut rounds, the same finish generally given to round diamonds. These lustrous semi-precious gemstones possess a rich, velvety, regal, blood red hue. They are extremely attractive gemstones, of very special character and remarkable color and texture. Highly favored by the royal houses of Renaissance Europe, they were considered noble in nature, and in some countries ownership was restricted to royalty and others of high birth. This particular variety of garnet is known as "pyrope", and is especially favored for its dark, blood red tones. They are truly gorgeously colored brilliant semi-precious gemstones.

The trained eye will easily discern from the photo that the gemstones have been hand-faceted. The coarseness of the 19th century faceting is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment. Unlike today's computer controlled machine processes, the cut and finish of gemstones such as these is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago. Such antique hand-faceted gemstones possess much greater character and appeal than today's mass-produced machine-faceted gemstones.

These gemstones have great lustre, and are essentially transparent, but they are not entirely flawless. True, the blemishes they possess are virtually invisible to the naked eye, and the gemstones can be characterized, to use trade jargon, as "eye clean". However magnified five times over as they are here, you can see slight imperfections (included material) both within the stones and occasional irregularities in the cut and finish. But these characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, you must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques prevalent did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so common today.

Two centuries ago mankind was more or less limited to surface deposits or near surface deposits of semi-precious gemstones. Higher quality gemstones which today are routinely mined from beneath hundreds of meters, even kilometers beneath the earth's surface, were simply inaccessible. So antique gemstone must be appreciated as antiques first, gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones mined from deep beneath the earth's surface were simply not accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. But for most, the unique nature and character of these antique gemstones more than makes up for included imperfections which by and large are only visible under magnification.

HISTORY: The name Garnet is derived from the Latin for pomegranate, "grantum", because crystals in rock reminded early aficionados of pomegranate seeds. The different varieties of garnet are found in almost all colors except blue; brown, red, green, yellow, black, and colorless stones are the most common. Darker gemstones are usually opaque, and light ones may be transparent or translucent. The best known members of the Garnet family are the deep red varieties, the Pyrope and Alamandite. The Pyrope derives its name from the Greek word meaning "firelike". The ancients also believed that a garnet could give its wearer guidance in the night, allowing them to see when others could not. Garnet was worn for protection when traveling. It was the Pyrope Garnet that figured in the ancient Talmudic legend, which held that the only light in Noah's Ark was supplied by an enormous red garnet. The Persians considered garnet a royal stone, as did the Russians in Imperial times.

SHIPPING OPTIONS: All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. Most of these antique gemstones were originally part of two collections, one originating in India principally composed of gemstones originally mined in India, Burma, Ceylon, and Siam, and then hand faceted in India. The addition of a second accumulation of antique gemstones originally mined in the Urals in the mid to late 19th century (including alexandrite) completed the collection. These gemstones as well were hand finished. The Urals have been one of the world's major sources of precious and semi-precious gemstones for many centuries. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers in Eastern Europe and Asia. These antique gemstones are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery.

We ship inventory from the USA order fulfillment center near Seattle, Washington. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipping within 48 hours of payment. A certificate of authenticity is available upon request. We prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment - and we will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no "holds"). We will accept PayPal payments. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE".