Almandine Garnet in a 4 mm round cabochon, available in lots of 4 or 12 pieces. Dark red with earthy brown tones and a deep luster characteristic of African almandine. Mirror polished, flat back.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Almandine Garnet (iron aluminum silicate, Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃) |
| Dimensions |
4 mm diameter × approx. 2 mm height |
| Shape and Back |
Domed round (cabochon), flat back |
| Finish |
Mirror polished |
| Hardness |
7–7.5 Mohs — excellent for everyday jewelry, including rings |
| Origin |
Africa (Madagascar / Tanzania) |
| Treatment |
Untreated |
| Availability |
Lot of 4 pieces · Lot of 12 pieces |
This specific selection
Almandine is the most common garnet in historical jewelry and contemporary fine metalwork. Its dark red with earthy undertones—deeper and less violet than rhodolite, warmer than pyrope—makes it versatile when combined with oxidized silver, copper, or gold-toned metals. At 4 mm, it's the ideal size for high-density pavé: small enough to create continuous textures, large enough for the color to be legible in the finished piece.
The lot of 4 pieces covers a pair of earrings with 2 additional accent stones. The lot of 12 pieces allows for more ambitious projects: a full pavé band in a small-to-medium sized ring, a round pendant frame, or a coordinated collection of small pieces.
How Almandine Garnet is formed
Almandine is the most widespread species of the garnet group: it forms in high-pressure metamorphic rocks such as schists and gneisses, where the combination of iron and aluminum under pressure produces the characteristic cubic crystals. The iron content is responsible for the dark color; the more iron, the darker and more opaque the garnet. Deposits in Madagascar and Tanzania produce good quality almandines of calibrated size for the small gem market. The color does not require treatment: it is inherent to the mineral.
What setting it works for
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Pavé in 925 silver — the 4 mm format and 7–7.5 Mohs hardness make it.
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Bezel setting with 4 prongs — 4 mm bezels are one of the formats.
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Stud earrings in a pair — two pieces set in a 925 silver bezel or in.
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Accent in a band ring — evenly distributed in a 925 silver band, 12 pieces.
Almandine Garnet in lapidary tradition
Almandine is the garnet of history: it appears in jewelry from ancient Rome and Visigothic Europe, in 7th-century Anglo-Saxon brooches, and in medieval cloisonné (metal cell work). The term "almandine" comes from Alabanda, a city in Asia Minor where the Greeks traded it. It is the reference garnet in gemology and the most common in mineral collections. Culturally, it is associated with vigor, protection, and grounding. Almandine garnet (strength and stability) and blue sapphire (clarity and wisdom) are a classic combination in intention rings.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice or a substitute for professional care.
How to recognize genuine almandine garnet
Genuine almandine has a dark red with brown undertones visible in mass; unlike rhodolite (more violet) and pyrope (more pure red). At 4 mm, it is partially translucent: light passes through the stone when held up to a direct source, although the cabochon appears opaque under normal use conditions. Glass imitations show bubbles under magnification and a glassy luster different from that of the mineral; synthetic resin has lower density (noticeable when handling the entire lot).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is almandine treated?
Untreated. The dark red color with earthy undertones is inherent to the mineral.
Do the pieces in the lot have the same color?
Color calibration in 4 mm almandine is generally good, but there may be minor variations between pieces: the.
Are 4 mm almandines transparent?
Partially translucent. In everyday use they appear opaque; when held up to a direct light source, some translucency can be observed.
