admin Vivid green demantoid garnet. The gem displays unique horsetail inclusion that make demantoid one of the most prized garnets.
First discovery in the Ural Mountains
Demantoid garnet was first discovered in the mid-19th century in Russia’s Ural Mountains, a region famed for yielding many of the world’s finest colored gems. Initially mistaken for emerald due to its vibrant green color, this new gem variety was soon identified as a type of andradite garnet by mineralogist Nils Gustaf Nordenskiöld in the 1850s. Its extraordinary brilliance and dispersion (the rainbow-like flashes of color, or “fire”) exceeded even that of diamond, inspiring its name demantoid, meaning “diamond-like”. By 1871, the term “demantoid” – from the Dutch demant (diamond) – had been officially adopted to describe this dazzling green garnet.
A Brilliant ‘Diamond-Like’ Sparkle
What makes demantoid truly unique is its optical performance. Thanks to a very high refractive index and exceptional dispersion, demantoid sparkles with a vivid fire that can rival or even surpass a diamond’s. In daylight, a fine demantoid’s lively green color is complemented by flashes of multicolored light bouncing off its facets. This remarkable brilliance captivated gem lovers from the start – one reason demantoid earned a reputation as the most precious member of the garnet family. Even small demantoids can appear dazzling. Their color ranges from a golden spring-green to a deep emerald-green, with the pure “emerald” hue without any brown or yellow tints being the most sought-after shade. Under incandescent light, the gems may show a warmer, slightly yellowish-green tone, but in natural daylight they display the pure vibrant green that collectors adore.
Signature “Horsetail Inclusion” in Demantoid Garnet
Russian Demantoid is especially prized for the presence of golden “horsetail” inclusions, which are unique to this region. These delicate, fan-shaped fibers are actually bundles of chrysotile or byssolite, radiating outward from a central crystal point. Often likened to a horse’s tail in appearance, these inclusions are highly valued by gem collectors. Rather than being flaws, horsetails add character and charm, making stones with them even more desirable.
A Jewel of Imperial Russia
Not long after its discovery, demantoid garnet became a favorite of Russian nobility and the Imperial court. Famed jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé was enchanted by its beauty and often featured demantoids in the luxurious creations he made for the Tsars and aristocracy. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries – the Belle Époque era – demantoids were highly fashionable in Europe and Russia. They were used as vivid accents in imaginative animal and insect brooches, and sometimes as standout centerpieces in rings and pendants. In fact, George Frederick Kunz, the chief gemologist at Tiffany & Co. in that era, was so fascinated by demantoids that he acquired some of the finest specimens for use in Tiffany’s jewelry. This patronage by royalty and top designers earned demantoid the nickname “gem of the Tsars,” cementing its cultural status as a symbol of opulence and fine taste.
During the Russian Revolution and the Soviet era, however, demantoid mining and use largely halted. The Ural deposits were nearly forgotten for decades. As a result, demantoids became rare treasures seen mostly in antique jewelry. Jeffrey Post, curator of the Smithsonian’s gem collection, noted that with such limited supply, demantoid maintained its status as a rare and expensive gem, most commonly encountered in pre-1917 pieces.
Global Sources and Modern Mining Situation
For many years, Russia was the only source of demantoid garnets. This changed in the late 20th century, when new deposits were found abroad. In 1996, significant demantoid discoveries in Namibia (notably at the Green Dragon mine) brought fresh supply to the market. Namibian demantoids tend to be highly transparent and bright, sometimes with a slightly different green tone (ranging from bluish-green to olive) and typically lack the signature inclusions seen in Russian stones. Deposits have also been found in Madagascar, Iran, Italy’s Val Malenco, and elsewhere, though these are comparatively small or produce gems with different characteristics.
Russian demantoid production itself experienced a revival in the 1990s as mining resumed in the Urals. Today, two main mines – at Korkodin and Poldnevaya in the central Urals – supply most of the Russian demantoid in the market. Each locality yields slightly different material: Korkodin stones often have a darker green, sometimes with a brownish cast, whereas Poldnevaya stones are naturally a pure, open green without secondary hues. The original 19th-century mine at Nizhny Tagil (now inactive) produced lighter green demantoids with a bluish tint. Despite these operations, supply remains very limited – Poldnevaya yields only a few hundred carats of gem-quality demantoid per month, and stones above 3 carats are extremely rare.
Rarity of Demantoid Garnet
Rarity is a key part of demantoid’s allure. Most demantoid garnets are found as small grains, and cut stones above 1 carat are uncommon. Gems over 2–3 carats are extraordinarily rare and command high prices from collectors. In one notable case, a 5.5 carat Russian demantoid ring sold at a 2008 Christie’s auction for $170,876, far above its estimate. Even the world’s top jewelers today only occasionally obtain fine demantoids, and when they do, these gems often end up in exclusive bespoke pieces or important collections.
Beyond its monetary value, demantoid carries a rich cultural legacy. In Russia, it is treasured as a national gemstone tied to the grandeur of the Imperial era. Around the world, jewelry aficionados appreciate demantoid not only for its stunning appearance but also for the romantic history behind it – from the mines of the Urals to the workshops of Fabergé. For travelers and gem enthusiasts, learning about demantoid is like uncovering a glittering chapter of history. This rare green garnet remains a testament to how nature’s beauty and human artistry together can create enduring legends in the world of gems.
