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Uncommon 19th Century Hand Cut and Faceted Thirteen and One-Third Carat Green Grossular Garnet Briolette Teardrop Semi-Precious Gemstone.

CLASSIFICATION: Bright Green Grossular Garnet Briolette.

ORIGIN: Siberia, Russia, 19th Century.

SIZE: Length: 18mm. Diameter: 10mm. All measurements approximate.

WEIGHT: 13.33 carats.

NOTES: Upon request we can set your gemstone as a pendant or (should you purchase two) into earrings.

DETAIL: Here is a gorgeously colored bright green grossular garnet of very substantial proportions. Although seemingly long forgotten, grossular garnet was originally name for the gooseberry of which grossularia is the botanical name, in reference to this green variety of garnet which was originally discovered in Siberia. This particular gemstone was hand cut and faceted into a briolette teardrop, an old fashioned cut reflecting its heritage. Hand crafted by a 19th century Russian artisan, part of an heritage renown for the production of the elaborate gemstones and jewelry of the Czars of Medieval, Renaissance, and Victorian Russia. This particular type of green garnet is no longer well known outside of Russia, but as you can see, it is a beautiful and uncommon variety of garnet.

This is a nice quality specimen, however this variety is characteristically somewhere between transparent and translucent - not 100% unblemished and/or absolutely transparent. As well the gemstone variety characteristically contains colorless inclusions as well. This specimen is quite characteristic of both the workmanship and the gemstone quality common to the 19th century. The trained eye will easily discern from the photo that the gemstone has 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 this 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.

The gemstone has great lustre, and is close to transparent, but it is not flawless, and could not meet the contemporary criteria necessary to be even characterized as high quality. True, the blemishes it possesses are not immediately visible to the naked eye. However magnified several times over, as it is here, you can see many imperfections (included material) both within the stones and irregularities in the faceting and finish. However these characteristics are common to this variety of green garnet. As well, 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 precious and 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 gemstones 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 and irregular finishing which by and large are not so terribly obvious as they are in these photo enlargements.

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. Green garnet is by far amongst the most expensive and rarest varieties of garnet, and include Tsavorite and demantoid. In Russia it is believed that wearing green grossular garnet increases fertility and absorption of Vitamin A.

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".