Teardrop-shaped green grossular garnet cabochon, 14×8×5 mm, hand-cut in our lapidary workshop. Intense green with high color saturation, a unique piece ideal for a minimalist pendant or a delicate 925 silver ring.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Green Grossular Garnet (calcium aluminum silicate) |
| Dimensions |
14×8×5 mm (±0.5 mm due to hand cutting) |
| Shape and Back |
Free-form teardrop, flat back |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
6.5–7.5 Mohs — we recommend a closed bezel setting |
| Origin |
Material acquired from a wholesale lapidary market |
| Treatment |
Untreated |
| Type of Piece |
Unique piece |
This Specific Piece
The teardrop shape with a 5 mm dome allows the deep green to be appreciated from all angles: light entering through the dome disperses within the garnet and exits with the characteristic hue of this variety, halfway between bottle green and moss green. The contained size (14×8 mm) makes the piece versatile as an everyday pendant without being flashy.
The lapidarist chose the orientation of the teardrop to take advantage of the area of maximum saturation in the rough material, with the point facing the most vivid color zone.
How Grossular Garnet is Formed
The garnet group is one of the broadest in the mineral kingdom, with formulas that vary depending on the substituted metal ions. Grossular (Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃) gets its name from the Latin grossularia ("gooseberry"), in reference to pale green varieties. The intense green variety—more saturated—may contain chromium or vanadium which intensifies the color, in which case it is called Tsavorite. Its high hardness (6.5–7.5 Mohs) and absence of cleavage make it one of the best choices for cabochons used in jewelry.
For Which Setting It Works
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Teardrop Bezel Pendant (925 silver) — the teardrop shape fits perfectly into standard pre-designed bezels or tube bezels cut to exact size. The green contrasts exceptionally with silver.
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Ring with Gemstone Setting — on a ring, the tip of the teardrop oriented towards the knuckles offers the classic solitaire look; the hardness of garnet (6.5–7.5) makes it suitable for regular wear.
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Wire Wrap — green garnets combine very well with bronze or copper wire with a patina; the teardrop shape is one of the most used in wire wrap due to the ease of securing it at the rounded end.
Grossular Garnet in Lapidary Tradition
Garnet in general has been a jewelry stone since Antiquity: it appears in Egyptian, Roman, and medieval jewelry. The green variety (grossular) was rediscovered in deposits in East Africa—mainly Tanzania and Kenya—in the 20th century, where the intense colored variety was marketed as Tsavorite starting in 1974. The name Tsavorite comes from the Tsavo National Park in Kenya, where the first commercially exploited deposits were located.
In crystal tradition, green garnet is associated with prosperity, growth, and abundance — attributes linked to the color green in most cultural traditions.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it dyed or treated?
No. The green color is completely natural. No detectable treatment. Statement based on lapidary observation; the piece does not include formal gemological certification.
What dimensions do I need to tell my jeweler?
14×8×5 mm with a tolerance of ±0.5 mm. The teardrop shape is standard in the bezel trade: 14×8 mm corresponds to a medium-sized teardrop bezel available from most silver findings suppliers. Always confirm the height (5 mm) so that the bezel has the appropriate depth.
How do I care for grossular garnet?
With 6.5–7.5 Mohs, it is one of the most resistant garnets to daily wear. Clean with lukewarm water and a soft cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners if the piece has visible inclusions. See our jewelry care guide.
See also: more pieces from our workshop · cabochon collection.
