HYDROGROSSULAR

This vintage 14K gold ring is set with a beautiful hydrogrossular garnet, often mistaken for nephrite jade.
Hydrogrossular garnet can easily be confused with jade
Species:  Hydrogrossular
Group:  Garnet
Mohs Hardness:  6.5 to 7.5 out of 10
Color:  Pink or green, with visible black inclusions
RI:  1.720 (+0.010 / -0.050) (1.72 spot reading common, but could be lower)
Birefringence:  None
SR/DR/AGG:  AGG
Pleochroism:  None
Spectrum:  Not diagnostic
Fluorescence:  Inert
Color Filter:  Possibly pinkish for green stones
SG:  3.47 (+0.08 / - 0.32)
Routine Treatments:  None

Hydrogrossular Facts

This vintage 14K gold broch is set with a beautiful hydrogrossular garnet (often mistaken for nephrite jade), and has scattered crystal opal accents.
Vintage hyrodrossular brooch

Garnets occur in nearly every color.

Hydrogrossular garnet can be green or pink, and sometimes white or gray.
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Hydrogrossular can have black "peppery" inclusions.

Some opaque green hydrogrossular can resemble jade.

Hydrogrossular Gallery


All photos courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CMA (NAJA)