Aussie Lapidary Forum
LAPIDARY => Ask a "Silly" Question => Topic started by: Hanno on August 26, 2020, 07:51:54 PM
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Hi, this is my first time as I have no idea about garnets or gems in general but I have just spent some time in the Hart Ranges in NT and have come home with a bag of “rocks” which are suppose to be garnets. I know they aren’t worth anything but I would like to know if there is anyone on Eyre Peninsula or South Australia who could have a look at them to see if there are any worth cutting or polishing which I could keep as a souvenir.
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Welcome to the forum Hanno,
I love Harts Range and need to go back :) . With your garnets get a torch or a light and have a look. If they are clean(or parts are clean) of cracks and inclusions they are most likely cutters. Especially if your luck enough to have some that aren't too dark.
CheersMB
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You need to look at them in the sun. Most garnets from there will have a lot of cracks that will block the light, if you can hold them up to the sun and the light shines through they will be good. Don't despair on the ones you cant see through, if the obvious cracks are in large blocky pieces you might be able to free a nice piece from the stone.