Spessartite - Yellowish Orange Garnet 

Spessartite is an orange to red-brown gemstone that belongs to the large and varied garnet species. The name, "spessartine" comes from the Bavarian word, "Spessart", meaning "forest", which is a mountain range in Germany where spessartine garnet deposits were found in the 1880s. Spessartite was not often seen in jewellery until deposits were mined in Namibia and Mozambique in the 1990s.

Spessartite has manganese in its formula. This manganese creates a yellowish-orange color. Because many of spessartite’s ancestors married almandines, many are a reddish orange due to some iron. The lighter orange spessartites, similar in color to orange soft drinks, are almost pure spessartites.

Spessartite Garnet Gemmological Properties: 

Chemical Formula:	Mn3Al2(SiO4)3 Manganese aluminium silicate
Crystal Structure:	Cubic; rhombic dodecahedron, icositetrahedron
Colour:	Orange, orangey-yellow, red-brown
Hardness:	6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale
Refractive Index:	1.790 to 1.820
Density:	4.12 to 4.18
Cleavage:	Indistinct
Transparency:	Transparent, translucent
Double Refraction or Birefringence:	Usually none
Lustre:	Vitreous
Fluorescence:	Mainly none

Benefits of Spessarite Garnet: 
Spessartite garnet is said to provide its wearer with analytical and creative abilities, strength of heart and the eagerness to assist others. Physically, spessartite garnet is thought to benefit the reproductive system, the kidneys, bladder and the appetite. The healing powers of spessartite garnet are said to be good for clear communication, self-confidence and for willingness to make changes and experience new things.

Jewelry designs made with Spessartite: