This is another NEW FIND of the most unbelievable Pinkish Purple Garnet coming from Afghanistan. This is so similar in color to Umbalite from Tanzania it is unbelievable! We have not had an opportunity to test this, however, we believe this to be Rhodolite Garnet because of its physical appearance and color. In addition, Rhodolite Garnet is known to come from the same mining area. There is a good amount of faceting rough in this lot; though most of the material is very slightly included; however, quite a few stones in here will cut eye-clean or better will a little hard work. Please note that some of the stones in this lot are lathed and this is how we we purchased this lot. We typically don't purchase material that has been lathed; however, this is the cleanest best colored Garnet we have seen in quite some time as far as this color goes. We honestly believe that the color on this warrants cutting even some of the slightly included stones as we have never seen this color produced in Afghanistan before!!

I would say at least 50%+ of this lot is facet grade. Much of the material has clean areas but will need to be sawed or cobbed out of the stones. I don't think you will ever see this material in the market via another source because we are the mine holders. In addition, we have priced this to sell quickly.

1. There has been a very limited amount of Garnet that has been produced in Afghanistan and it is rarely facet grade. This is the Second lot of this material that I have seen enter the market.

2. This has not yet been tested and as a result we can't certify the type of Garnet it is. We have taken a few sample stones of this material and are preparing to send them to GIA for a formal analysis in the near future.