Untreated African Demantoid Garnet 0.84 (ODM084)

0.84 Carat
Grass Green
Medium Dark 70
Lightly Included

GRADING REPORT ODM084

- Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Demantoid Garnet  
- Carat: 0.84
- Shape: Oval
- Measures: 5.94x4.54x4.08 (millimeter)
- Color Grade: Very Good
- Tone: MD70
- Color Zoning: None
- Clarity: Lightly Included
- Cutting Grade: Very Good
  - Brilliancy: 75%
  - Depth: 68%
- Origin: Namibia
- Treatment: None

Certificate No: DSEF 080456

Overall Grade: Very Good

Comment: Last of last year's sub-one-carat oval demantoid parcel out of Namibia. Natural grass green with yellow sparks and demantoid's rainbow effects thanks to its extra high dispersion. Typical indicator for Namibian material are the, under the lens visible (and only there), whitish crystalline inclusions, where the Russian demantoids 'grow' horsetails from asbestos impurities. Demantoid's better-than-diamond dispersion a.k.a. 'fire' (the ability to split white light into its rainbow components as in close-up below) has made them one of the most successful colored gemstones of all times, closing in on ruby and emerald. Their lively sparkle makes even a 0.84 carat gem a very visible object, which is fortunate because they are rarely found in big sizes. A full carat is solid weight in demantoid. One may ask why DeBeers did not choose Demantoid for their monopoly-strategy last century? The answer is simple: Green grossularite garnet is much rarer than diamond. The demand DeBeer's created in the e-ring market would never have been satisfied by the few demantoids found every year. As an educated guess I imagine that at least a hundred white diamonds are mined worldwide for each demantoid, but it may well be a thousand (drop me a line if you know). Perhaps green and fancy yellow diamonds together could equal the production of demantoids but white diamonds roam Africa in plenty. The future, with transparent world-markets, will show the true value of every gem variety based on their beauty and actual rarity. I take a bet, demantoid will beat diamond someday soon. Finally, back to this gem: No window, no treatments, no visible inclusions, DSEF report, perfectly harmonious dimensions and just right for ever-sparkling solitary lady's ring.