Awesome NEW discovery of Mandarin Orange Hessonite Garnet Gemstones from Afghanistan. These stones were purchased specifically for analysis and testing. We have donated three of the stones that were originally in the parcel to GIA for such purposes (after recutting - we didn't cherry pick and left the best stone in the parcel) and are selling this lot significantly below cost as our purchase was for the academics involved. The stones overall really are high grade with one exception. Most stones are very slightly to slightly included which is acceptable in the species.

The most noteworthy piece in the parcel is the large 10.75 carat stone and it is EXTREMELY Clean and probably easily worth twice the price of the lot as-is. Overall, the problem with the lot lies in the fact that the cutting is relatively poor because of abrasions. Some stones are cut fine; however, over time they have gotten abraded and developed some small chips because of bumping against one another. We will NOT get any of this material in for the future in cut stones unless it is a miracle and with the price we have on these you should essentially purchase them as preforms and refacet them. It is cool to note that GIA will hopefully be doing a write-up on this material in the Fall issue so be sure to get your copy.

1. We ARE THE MINERS for this rough and as such we have the best prices available!!! There is nowhere you can pick this material up at this price.