1.20 Ct. Garnet from Mozambique

From the ancient heart of Mozambique comes a single round purple garnet that tells a story of time and transformation, a 1.20 carat gem that began as microscopic chaos in the earth and emerged as a disciplined dance of color and light. Formed under heat and pressure over eons, this transparent garnet was lifted from rich soils where local miners, guided by generations of knowledge, recovered rough crystals that glinted like secret embers. The Natural Gemstone Company works closely with trusted partners in the region to select only the most promising pieces, prioritizing ethical sourcing and minimal disturbance to the land. This particular garnet was chosen for its natural, vivid purple hue, its clean internal character, and the absence of any enhancement, so that every facet of its beauty comes from the stone itself rather than human alteration. From the moment the rough left Mozambique, it carried with it the memory of its formation, a narrative that skilled cutters and polishers honored as they revealed the gem within.

Careful, patient cutting turned that raw promise into a refined jewel, a round shape measuring 6.06 x 6.04 x 4.17 mm, with a mixed brilliant cut that marries the best qualities of step and brilliant faceting to capture both color and scintillation. At 1.20 carats, the stone achieves a pleasing presence that translates beautifully into rings, pendants, or custom pieces, while remaining versatile enough for delicate settings. The clarity is graded as very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, which means the gem reads as clean to most viewers, and those tiny internal characteristics give it personality without impeding its transparency. Vivid color intensity drives the visual impact, a rich, saturated purple that shifts subtly with movement and light, and an excellent polish ensures each facet speaks with crisp, mirror like clarity. The cutter tuned pavilion depth and crown angles to the stone dimensions to maximize light return, so when worn the gem returns vibrant flashes and a deep internal glow that seems to come from within.

When considering this purple garnet for everyday wear, durability is an important part of its story, and the Mohs scale helps place that durability in context. Garnets as a group typically range from about 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, depending on their specific chemistry, and many purple garnets like this one sit at approximately 7, which gives them a solid resistance to scratches from common elements of daily life. To compare, sapphire ranks at 9 and diamond at 10 on the same scale, so while garnet is not as hard as those stones, its robustness at about 7 makes it suitable for frequent wear when set thoughtfully. A protective setting such as a bezel or a secure prong mount will help shield the edges and girdle, and regular gentle cleaning with warm soapy water and a soft brush will preserve the polish and sparkle. Avoiding harsh abrasives and extreme thermal shocks will extend the life of the gem, and occasional professional inspection and cleaning will keep the mounting secure and the stone looking its best.

The Natural Gemstone Company presents this purple garnet as a jewel with provenance, personality, and enduring appeal, a stone that carries the narrative of Mozambique into a piece you can wear and cherish. Its combination of vivid color, very slightly included clarity as seen at eye level, excellent polish, and honest untreated origin means you are acquiring a gem that is both true and beautiful. As you imagine this round 6.06 x 6.04 x 4.17 mm, 1.20 carat stone set into a design of your choosing, consider that you are not only selecting a gem, you are continuing its journey from the earth to a finished work of wearable art, one that will gather its own stories as it is worn, admired, and passed on.