How much do garnets cost? A full analysis of the market

In ancient China, garnet was called ziyawu or ziyawu (purple crow or son's tooth), named because its crystals closely resemble the shape and color of pomegranate seeds, and based on its chemical composition it is confirmed as six types: pyrope, almandine, spessartine, andradite, grossular, and uvarovite. Now let's take a look together at how much garnets cost!

How much do garnets cost?

Garnet market prices tend to be stable, with no great fluctuation in increases; prices are usually around 100, unlike tourmaline gemstones whose prices keep climbing. There are mainly two trends in garnet market prices: on one hand, low-end garnets, whose prices have always been low with little change. On the other hand, garnets with fine crystals and brilliant color still see obvious price increases, which is also closely related to the mining of raw garnet ore.

Factors in garnet prices

1. First, looking at the appearance of garnet, apart from the rather special demantoid, the more commonly seen ones are red garnets. However, red garnets differ in price according to the depth of color; purple-red garnet has the highest price, followed by rose red and wine red, and on the basis of these colors, the lighter the color of the garnet, the higher the price, while garnets that look very dark at a glance, as dark as obsidian, are relatively inferior garnets.

2. After color, look at the material. Natural crystals all have natural ice cracks inside, which is a very normal feature for garnet. Finding one with none at all is extremely difficult; one with absolutely none would certainly qualify as top grade and would definitely be priced astronomically among garnets. Garnets with ice cracks are normal, but the fewer the ice cracks the better; in fact, this is true of all natural crystals. There is no absolute, only relative.

3. Looking at crystal transparency, all crystals are the same: the more transparent the crystal, the higher the price. A good garnet bracelet, under a single light source, has the whole crystal glowing translucently, like a plump, round pomegranate seed, very endearing. Poorer garnets or man-made garnets will not have such a good effect.

4. In terms of overall texture, top-grade garnet has a bright surface and strong luster, and garnet with good texture costs much more than similar types with lower texture.

Methods for identifying garnet

1. If a garnet's color is super brilliant and super transparent, and the price is also very tempting, be careful.

2. Look at the cotton-like inclusions and impurities; garnet very easily contains black spots and ice cracks.

3. Garnet is heavier than ordinary crystal. Weigh it in your hand; if it is lighter than rose quartz, be on guard.

4. Garnet is relatively fine and delicate, with a very smooth surface feel, comfortable and oily to the touch, not the "glass" feel of rose quartz.

5. Garnet has a very strong luster, appearing metallic, so much so that under strong light there is a hazy quality, and this is especially obvious on round beads.