Rhodolite is the most valuable of the red garnets and is often found in high-end jewelry pieces. It is composed of a combination of middle-market pyrope and almandite. While it is considered the most valuable of red garnets, it is not that expensive; rough sells for $2.50 per carat and higher, depending on the size of the piece. The name "rhodolite" was first applied to the rhododendron-colored garnets that were discovered in North Carolina in the 1800s.According to the Gemological Institute of America, rhodolite ranges in color from dark purple to raspberry red to light reddish purple. In the best gems, the tone is medium to medium dark. Rhodolite has numerous qualities that make it a highly desirable gem: it is plentiful; it is never artificially treated; cut stones will often look like fine rubies or red tourmaline; it has good durability; and it is often free of inclusions that might reduce clarity and brilliance. The prices of large (10 carats or more), fine-colored cut rhodolites rise steeply. Because rough is plentiful, rhodolite is often cut by lapidary artists into buff tops and free-form cuts with concave facets or traditional flat facets.
展开▼
