Aussie Lapidary Forum
Gemstones & Jewellery => Gem of the Month => Topic started by: Wwoofa on May 05, 2012, 11:54:14 AM
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Hi,
This month's "Gem of the Month" is .... Garnet.
Feel free to add more info & pics. If anyone has any questions specifically about Garnet then this is a good place to post them.
People with facetting designs or hints etc may also like to add that info here?
You might like to change your "Gem of the Month" votes now that this one has been covered.
General Information:
Here are a few useful links that should cover all of the main information.
Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garnet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garnet)
Mindat - http://www.mindat.org/min-10272.html (http://www.mindat.org/min-10272.html)
Minerals.Net - http://www.minerals.net/gemstone/garnet.aspx (http://www.minerals.net/gemstone/garnet.aspx)
Fossicking Locations:
Garnet can be found in many locations around Australia. Here are a few of the main locations where you can find gem quality Garnet.
QLD - Fullarton River
Excellent (Rhodolite?) Garnets can be found in the Cloncurry area on the Maronan Station near the Fullarton River.
They are generally a "purplish-red" colour.
Here's some info & a map etc ...
http://gemfossicking.com.au/fullarton_river.html# (http://gemfossicking.com.au/fullarton_river.html#)
Here's a video ...
Digging for Fullarton River Garnets (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-g6K46Klpg#)
NT - Hart's Range
Excellent dark reddish-brown Almandine Garnets can be found at Hart's Range.
Here's some good info & maps etc ...
http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Minerals_Energy/index.cfm?header=Harts%20Range%20West (http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Minerals_Energy/index.cfm?header=Harts%20Range%20West)
NSW - Yarrow Creek
At many locations along Yarrow Creek (east of Glen Innes) you can find dark red (Pyrope?) Garnets.
Here's some previously posted pics ...
Rough Garnet from Fullarton River
(https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/gallery/albums/Fullerton's_album/Dir_2/medium_3428_Garnet haul 01.JPG) (https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=1197)
Cut Garnet from Fullarton River
(https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/gallery/albums/My_precious/Dir_1/main_402.jpg) (https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=402)
Rough Garnet from Hart's Range
(https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/gallery/albums/Mudpuddler's_pics/Dir_1/medium_1539_garnet.jpg) (https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=1539)
Cut Garnet from Hart's Range
(https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/gallery/albums/Precious_stones/Dir_1/main_1290.jpg) (https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=1290)
Cut Garnet from Hart's Range
(https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/gallery/albums/Precious_stones/Dir_1/main_1234.jpg) (https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=1234)
15ct Garnet from Yarrow Creek
(https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/gallery/albums/Fossicking/Dir_1/medium_main_294.JPG) (https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=294)
Cut Garnet from Yarrow Creek
(https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/gallery/albums/Fossicking/Dir_1/medium_main_304.JPG) (https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=304)
Cut Garnet from Yarrow Creek
(https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/gallery/albums/Fossicking_Locations/Dir_2/medium_main_635.JPG) (https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=635)
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Here's a very interesting article about the Thackaringa garnets ....
http://brokenhillmineralclub.wikispaces.com/file/view/Thackaringa+Article.pdf (http://brokenhillmineralclub.wikispaces.com/file/view/Thackaringa+Article.pdf)
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you can allso find it in the granite rocks around beachworth vic but thay are not clear :) just nice to keep them the way you found them not facetable
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For any garnet lovers out there, this 3D graphic by 3D geological artist Lina Jakaitė (https://strike-dip.com/about/) nicely illustrates the colour and solid-solution series chemistry of the garnet group. If you would like a high resolution copy suitable for printing as a poster and wish to support the artist, please visit: https://linajakaite.gumroad.com/l/SSYxH (https://linajakaite.gumroad.com/l/SSYxH)
RC
(https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/gallery/10/medium_112303-260324110907.jpeg) (https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=10106)
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My attempt at a star.(https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/gallery/9/medium_9982-131123060948.jpeg) (https://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=9925)