Rhodolite Garnet in 5 mm round cabochon, available in lots of 2 or 10 pieces. Purplish-red to reddish-purple with a silky luster and depth of color characteristic of African rhodolite. Mirror polished, flat back.
Item Specifications
| Mineral |
Rhodolite Garnet (aluminum, iron, and magnesium silicate, pyrope-almandine variety) |
| Dimensions |
5 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 (Tanzania / Mozambique) |
| Treatment |
Untreated |
| Availability |
Lot of 2 pieces · Lot of 10 pieces |
This Specific Selection
The color of rhodolite is one of the most precise and consistent among garnets: a purplish-red that ranges from dark raspberry to soft purple, without the irregular tone variations of almandine or pyrope. At 5 mm, the diameter is sufficient to clearly read the color in finished jewelry, and small enough to be used in high-density pavé or delicate pieces such as stud earrings or band rings.
Each lot of 2 pieces allows for the creation of a pair of earrings with color consistency; the lot of 10 covers pavé band projects in rings or choker necklaces with multiple stones. The 5 mm (±0.1 mm) calibration facilitates fitting into standard prefabricated fine jewelry settings and mounts.
How Rhodolite is Formed
Rhodolite is a natural mixture of pyrope and almandine—two species of the garnet group—in proportions that produce the characteristic purplish-red color. It forms in high-pressure metamorphic rocks (eclogites and granulites) and in some igneous deposits. Deposits in Tanzania and Mozambique produce rhodolite with the highest saturation and color consistency on the market. The untreated color is inherent to the mineral mixture: no dye is added, nor is it thermally altered.
Suitable Settings
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Pavé in 925 silver — the 5 mm format and 7–7.5 Mohs hardness make it ideal.
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Claw setting — the 4-prong setting for a 5 mm round.
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Pair of stud earrings — two pieces from the lot of 2 create stud earrings.
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Accent in a ring or pendant — a single 5 mm stone as a side accent in.
Garnet in Lapidary Tradition
The garnet group has one of the longest histories in goldsmithing: it appears in Egyptian, Greek, and Roman jewelry, and was the preferred mineral for medieval European brooches. Specific rhodolite was identified as a commercial variety in the 20th century due to its deposits in North Carolina (USA) and later in East Africa; its purplish-red color differentiates it from almandine garnet (darker and browner) and pyrope (purer red). It is culturally associated with vitality, passion, and creative energy. Amethyst (wisdom and tranquility) and rhodolite (passion and vitality) are a classic pair in intentional jewelry.
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 Rhodolite Garnet
Genuine rhodolite has a clean purplish-red color without brown tones, and is transparent or semi-transparent (unlike almandine, which is usually more opaque at 5 mm). Under strong light, the depth of color can be appreciated even in a 5 mm cabochon. Imitations in red glass are homogeneous and show visible bubbles under magnification; dyed resin lacks the depth of color, and the vitreous luster is different from that of crystalline chalcedony in garnet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rhodolite treated?
Untreated. The purplish-red color is inherent to the mineral. African rhodolite from Tanzania and Mozambique is known for its.
Do the 2 or 10 pieces in the lot have the same color?
Color calibration in rhodolite garnet lots is good, but minor variations may occur between pieces within the same lot.
Do they fit standard 5 mm settings?
Yes, with the usual consideration: prefabricated settings have a tolerance of ±0.1–0.2 mm.
