Demantoid: a gemstone with a diamond-like shine
The name demantoid means “diamond-like shine”. This gemstone may shine like a diamond, but it is a colored gemstone. Strictly speaking, it is a garnet stone in yellow-green, emerald green, brownish green or orange-brown. It owes its green color to traces of chromium. A higher iron content, on the other hand, gives the demantoid a yellowish appearance.
Its colors can make it appear similar to an emerald or tsavorite.
Horsetail: the valuable inclusions of the demantoid
The demantoid is the only gemstone that becomes more valuable with inclusions. These inclusions are also called “horsetail” inclusions because of their appearance. They are tuft-like chrysotile fibers that may be curved like a horse's tail. Such inclusions do not occur in all demantoids and are mainly observed in stones from the Urals.
The gems from Namibia do not have tufts of chrysotile. Instead, they may have inclusions of crystal needles.
Origin & mining sites: First discovered in Russia
Garnet stones have been known since ancient times. However, the demantoid was only discovered in Russia towards the end of the 19th century. Until 1919, these stones were very popular for jewelry in Russia. The famous Russian goldsmith and jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé probably contributed to this. He was known for his artfully crafted jewelry, which included demantoid. However, communism caused the gemstone to fall out of fashion.
Today, these gemstones are mainly mined in Russia, Namibia, Pakistan, Eritrea and Korea.
Use: Demantoid gemstones for jewelry
This gemstone is particularly popular for making jewelry. You can have your gemstone from the IGNEOUS gemstone shop made into a ring, bracelet or necklace. Depending on your preference, you can use silver, white or yellow gold for this.
Demantoids are often combined with other stones. They are particularly popular in combination with small diamonds. Of course, you can also combine them with other colored gemstones. There are no limits to your imagination or that of your goldsmith when it comes to design.
Those who like the color green will be delighted with pieces of jewelry featuring this gemstone. According to the American Gem Society, garnet stones – and thus this green variety as well – are the birthstones for the month of January. This makes them ideal stones for jewelry gifts for those born in January.
Hardness & most common cuts
The Mohs hardness of demantoids is 6.5 to 7. This makes it softer than, for example, sapphire or ruby (both have a hardness of 9), but still hard enough to be made into durable pieces of jewelry.
This gemstone is almost always faceted. The round or oval brilliant cut is usually used for this. Mixed cuts also occur.