Demantoid Garnet
Demantoids are the best known Andradite variety of Garnets. These gemstones were discovered in 1868 in the Ural Mountain area of Russia. Demantoid garnets resemble an emerald with added brilliance and fire. The Demantoid gem has a fire (dispersion) that is greater than that of any other natural gemstone, including diamond. The name “Demantoid” comes from the Old German word demant meaning diamond-like. Good Demantoid is not easy to find today. For more than 80 years, most of the mining in Russia ceased, but the Russian’s are now producing it again. Recent finds in Namibia have made it more available. Asbestos-fibre inclusions resembling horsetails are considered a positive feature in Demantoid. Their presence strongly suggests the stones are from Russian Ural region. See more here...
