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Garnet · Variety of Garnet

Mali Garnet

Yellow-green to brownish green

Brown Green Yellow
Optical properties

Optical characteristics

Ref. index
1.74 – 1.79
Luster
Vitreous to adamantine
Pleochroism
None None; garnets are singly refractive and isotropic.
Fluorescence
Usually inert.
Origins

Source localities

Mali Mali: garnet localities
Notable

Known for Mali garnet, a grossular-andradite material.

100% est. supply
Inclusions

Inclusions & features

Crystals Crystal Inclusions Under 10x loupe: solid, well-formed mineral crystals trapped inside the host gem. They may… Fractures Feathers and Fractures Under 10x loupe: irregular internal surfaces that catch light and appear bright, wing-like, or… Fractures Fingerprint Inclusions Under 10x loupe: curved or wavy lines of tiny dots forming patterns that look… Clouds Pinpoint Clouds Under 10x loupe: concentrations of extremely tiny bright dots that individually are too small… Multiphase Two-Phase Inclusions Under 10x loupe: a transparent irregular cavity containing both a liquid phase and a…
Identification

Instruments used

10x Loupe Your most-used instrument, start every examination here Polariscope Determines single vs. double refraction, quick and conclusive Refractometer Measures refractive index, the backbone of gem identification UV Lamp, Long Wave and Short Wave Fluorescence exposes treatments, synthetics, and origin
Specifications
Hardness
6.5 – 7.5 Mohs
Ref. index
1.74 – 1.79
Sp. gravity
3.6 – 3.8
Crystal system
Cubic
Luster
Vitreous to adamantine
Species
Grossular-Andradite Garnet
Market price $ 100 – 2,000 / ct

Fine greenish yellow stones are scarcer than brownish material.

Rarity Rare

Mali garnet is a rarer grossular-andradite garnet known from limited sources.

Confused with
  • Emerald Emerald has lower RI, birefringence, and often clarity enhancement.
  • Tourmaline Tourmaline is doubly refractive and pleochroic.
  • Glass Glass imitations show bubbles and low hardness.
Expert tip

Mali Garnet is identified by isotropic optic reaction plus RI/SG and variety-specific inclusions.

Part of Garnet →
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