Almadine Garnet

Birthstones  >  Garnet  >  Almadine

Although you may never have heard of almadine, this is the most commonly found form of garnet.

• Colour:  Purples, reds, browns
• Mined:  Sri Lanka, India, Burma, Brazil, Australia
• Origin of Name:  Named after Alabanda in Asia Minor where the gems were traded

Because these stones are so abundant in Sri Lanka they are also referred to as Ceylon-ruby.  Whilst the more purple coloured variety are sometimes called Syrian garnet named after the ancient city of Syriam in Pegu.

Spinel

Experts are unsure where the name spinel comes from but it is believed to come from the Latin word "spina" which means "thorn" which describes the thorny looking crystals.

A good example of spinel is so similar to a ruby that it is difficult to tell them apart.  It was even discovered that a big red rock in the British Crown Jewels was in fact red spinel.

• Almadine Spinel - Purple in colour
• Pleonast - Blue-green
• Rubicelle - Orange, yellow, pink

Quality red and blue-green spinels are the most pricey (although not as high as rubies and sapphires).  Pink and light coloured spinels are much cheaper.