About this Product
Beautiful rich raspberry to grape natural color change(color shift) Malaya Garnet(1.66ct,VS,Africa) hand bezel set and accented with natural white Zircons(.14ctw,VS,Cambodia)(NOT CZ) in solid 925 sterling silver on a sterling silver chain. This color "shift" occurs when the gem goes from natural sunlight to incandescent light. I chose this gemstone for it's lovely grape color, another highly sought after color in Garnets. This item will arrive set with Natural white Zircon accents.
Malaya (malaia) garnet is one of the rarer and more interesting 'hybrid' varieties of garnet. It is primarily a mix of pyrope and spessartine, which was first discovered in the 1960s. It was discovered in the Umba River Valley bordering Tanzania and Kenya, which remains the primary source for malaya garnet. GIA classifies malaya garnet as only a pyrope-spessartite species, but this may not be the case for all malaya garnet. For the most part, malaya garnet has been considered a variety of pyrope, since most tested specimens contained higher percentages of pyrope as their primary component. However, over the years, many malaya garnet specimens were discovered to contain equal parts of both spessartite or almandine. In some cases, stones also contained minor traces of grossular and andradite. Research has now shown that its composition can be highly variable, ranging anywhere from 2 to 94% spessartite, 0 to 83% pyrope, 2 to 78% almandine, 0 to 24% grossularand 0 to 4% andradite.
The term "malaya" was derived from a Swahili word meaning 'outcast' or 'prostitute'. Miners gave it this name because when it was first discovered, local dealers wouldn't buy it, simply because it didn't fall into any of the standard garnet categories; thus, it was cast aside. The first findings were believed to be a type of spessartite and they were often mined and mixed with parcels of rhodolite garnet. Since its discovery, the production and mining of malaya garnet has been very irregular, and because of its rarity, it is highly prized by gem collectors. Larger specimens, especially those over 3 to 5 carats, increase in value substantially and can demand very high premiums.
This item can be made with other natural gemstones. Convo for availability, and pricing.
This item can be precious metals wrapped, charges apply.
Please ask questions.
COMES WITH JEWELERS REPORT
Ilex Unica Designs
Pipersville, PA
Welcome to my store of quality one of a kind, and limited edition small batch items.
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Meet the Maker
I have been a small organic farmer here in Pennsylvania for over 40 yrs, raising sheep, poultry, honey bees, and organic fruits and veggies. I have worked & studied gemstones & jewelry design, as well as being a master chef owning my own restaurant. I was raised learning the "old ways" of making daily living items from my Grandmother using what we grew.
How it’s Made
I hand make all my jewelry with precious metals and natural gemstones
Shop Policies
Returns: I must be contacted with 24hrs of receipts of delivery, a return agreement issued, items must be return in original unused condition. Buyer pays return shipping.
