Almandine is a stone with a number of unique qualities. This variety of garnet is quite common in the world and is widely used in jewelry.
Specialists appreciate this stone for its deep expressive color, radiance, unprecedented strength. But at the same time, almandine also has a quite reasonable price.
Color, transparency, asterism
Almandine is a stone whose photos eloquently testify to its beauty. Not without reason since ancient times this gem was decorated with church utensils and outfits of clergymen. This stone can have any shade of red: from pale pink to almost black, like an expensive wine. Some almandines are incredibly similar to rubies, and sometimes it is simply impossible to determine the stone's belonging without special examinations. Even an experienced jeweler will need equipment. It is not easier to distinguish almandine from some other varieties of garnet. And all because of the huge number of colors in which this stone can be painted. Hue is due to the amount of impurities, mainly iron.
Almandine, which has transparency, is of considerable value. But opaque gems canbe used only in arts and crafts.
If a ray of sunlight falls on a faceted almandine crystal, a radiance will appear above and around the stone. No other type of pomegranate has such an effect. No less rare is asterism. In almandine, it is very pronounced, luminous stars are clearly visible even on opaque cabochons.
But the main feature of almandine is its unprecedented hardness. Ruby is only marginally superior. Grenades are significantly inferior in this.
A little historical background
The gem was first described by Agricolla in 1546. But he was known to people long before that. The ancient Greeks associated almandine with the goddess Demeter, who patronizes the harvest and fertility, as well as with Hestia, under whose care the sacrificial fire and the hearth were located. Since then, almandine has been considered a stone of two elements: earth and fire.
The gem owes its name to the ancient eastern city of Alabanda, a major center of trade in jewelry stones. It is believed that Alabanda was inhabited by skilled jewelers, however, according to one version, the city was only a "transit" point, where several trade routes intersected.
Deposits
Almandine is a stone that is mined today in several countries around the world. The most valuable today are gems from Sri Lanka.
Large deposits are also available in Brazil, USA, Madagascar, India, Karelia, Austria, Finland. As you can see, the geography is very extensive.
BIn recent years, the Karelian deposit has been considered unpromising. Work has been suspended today. The tender for the extraction of almandine remained unclaimed and continues to wait for its buyer.
Physical and chemical properties
How does official science look at almandine? The stone, whose properties could not be ignored by scientists, is described in detail by them.
Almandine has a density of 4.3 g/cm3, and its hardness reaches 7.5. The luster of almandine is resinous, glassy, with pronounced asterism. The gem can be cherry, raspberry, purple, brown-red, burgundy-black. Cleavage imperfect.
Magical Properties
Since ancient times, people believed in the power endowed with almandine. The stone, the magical properties of which in ancient times were beyond doubt, often became a companion of travelers, merchants, warriors.
Charms from this stone were worn to avoid poisoning, wounds, diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Like any other garnet stone, almandine is associated with the sexual sphere. But unlike, for example, pyrope, it is not responsible for violent passions, but for deep feelings, understanding and harmonious relations between partners. This stone strengthens feelings and patronizes marital fidelity.
Almandine heals
Its blood-red color determined the belief in the protection of life. The Crusaders wore almandine amulets to avoid injury. Today, experts in the field of traditional medicinethey use the life-giving energy of almandine for the same purposes - to heal wounds and burns, relieve inflammation, speed up skin regeneration, and speed up recovery after operations.
Almandines are precious stones that can cope not only with bodily, but also with spiritual ailments. They will help to overcome fear, anxiety, insecurity, depression. Jewelry with this type of pomegranate normalizes sleep, stabilizes the emotional state. It is perfect for anyone involved in spiritual practices.
Compatibility
Today, astrologers believe that almandine is the stone most suitable for those born in winter. The gem is especially favored by those born under the sign of Capricorn.
Almandine jewelry is often chosen by people involved in the study of the exact sciences, such as mathematics and astronomy. But no less often he is preferred by astrologers, healers, seers. Almandine helps to reveal secrets, accumulate knowledge, find the truth hidden from others.
Almandine jewelry
Jewelers use a variety of cuts for this gem. The most ancient and one of the most successful is the "saucer", in which its characteristics are revealed in the best possible way. But this is far from the only type of worthy cut. Today, the shape of the heart, rhombus, oval is very popular. Especially large gems with complex cuts are sometimes set even in high-grade gold, creating real masterpieces.
It is found in jewelry and polished, not faceted almandine. The stone may not have perfect transparency, but in this case, jewelry is created from it, not jewelry, complementing it with silver and jewelry alloys.
Stone care
Jewelers are advised to store almandine jewelry in separate boxes. This rule applies to all stones with high strength. Especially cut (and not just polished) almandine crystals can easily damage many other gems, pearls and even some metals.
As with most gems, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and high temperatures is detrimental to almandine. It is better to choose a dark place for storage. Periodically, jewelry with this gem should be washed under running water - this will help the stone to cleanse itself not only of dust mixed with traces of sweat, but also to relieve energy load.
When carefully used, these stones will delight with beauty for many years and can serve faithfully for several generations.
