Genuine Natural Antique Handcrafted Eleven and One-Half Carat Raspberry Red Russian Rhodolite Garnet Round.

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

CLASSIFICATION: Rhodolite Garnet Round Cabochon.

SIZE: Diameter: 12mm. Depth (Thickness): 6 1/4mm. All measurements approximate.

WEIGHT: Approximately 11.43 carats.

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

DETAIL: Here is a gorgeously colored dark raspberry red rhodolite garnet gemstone from the Ural Mountains of Russia. This is a very pretty semi-precious gemstone, with highly a desirable, uncommon, beautiful dark raspberry red hue. The gemstone is cut so thick that it looks almost black in these images - but in hand it is assuredly transparent dark raspberry red. It was handcrafted by a 19th century Russian artisan into this magnificent round cabochon. This particular variety of garnet is of the rarer and more costly rhodolite garnet. It is very clean, crystal clear, without flaw, and exquisitely colored. Unlike ordinary garnets which have a smoky orange undertone, rhodolite garnets possess a rich, vibrant, bright, raspberry red color. This particular gemstone is even more raspberry red, more richly hued than most, with great luster and velvety character. It is an extremely attractive gemstone. Highly favored by the royal houses of Renaissance Europe, Garnet was considered noble in nature, and in some countries ownership was restricted to royalty and others of high birth. And such a high quality specimen of such magnificent size is very uncommon.

Upon close examination of the gemstone it becomes obvious that the gemstone has been hand shaped and hand finished. The slight irregularities which are the hallmark of a handcrafted gemstone are generally regarded as appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered detrimental. Unlike today's computer controlled machine finished gemstones, the cut and finish of a gemstone such as this is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago. Such antique hand-crafted gemstones possess much greater character and appeal than today's mass-produced machine-produced gemstones. The gemstone has great luster and color and is transparent, but it is not absolutely flawless. True, the blemishes it possesses are virtually invisible to the naked eye, and the gemstone can be characterized, to use trade jargon, as "eye clean". However magnified five times over as it is here, you can see slight imperfections (included material) both within the stone itself and occasional irregularities in the cut and finish.

Keep in mind however that 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".