5.85 Ct. Garnet from Tanzania

This specimen is a transparent purplish pink garnet weighing 5.85 carats, with exact dimensions of 10.45 by 8.52 by 7.20 millimeters, presented in a classic emerald cut. The combination of the substantial carat weight and the purplish pink hue places this gem in a very limited tier of availability, particularly for stones sourced from Tanzania, where garnet occurrences of this size and color are uncommon. The gem has been graded as included at eye level, which indicates visible internal characteristics under simple visual inspection, and it carries a vivid color intensity that remains consistent across viewing angles. The polish is rated as excellent, with sharp facet junctions and a clean surface finish, and the stone has received no enhancement, confirming that the observed color and clarity are entirely natural. The Natural Gemstone Company presents this piece as an exemplar of natural color concentration achieved without treatment, suitable for collectors and for high quality jewelry settings.

From a cutting and faceting perspective, the emerald cut on this garnet is executed to emphasize color saturation while maintaining proportional symmetry. The step cut sequence on the crown and pavilion generates broad, parallel facet planes that create large flashes of color rather than the scintillation pattern associated with brilliant cuts. This faceting style is particularly effective for stones exhibiting strong color saturation, because it reduces light leakage through scintillation and increases the perception of depth in the body color. The large table facet and truncated corners characteristic of the emerald cut provide a stable geometry for setting, while the faceting angles and pavilion planning have been balanced to retain maximum weight without excessive darkening. The cutting preserves a lively face up color, and because garnet is an isometric species and therefore singly refractive, the gem shows no pleochroism, resulting in uniform hue presentation. The overall proportions favor rich color and a commanding visual presence rather than high brilliance, which is an intentional choice for premium purplish pink garnet material.

The clarity of this gem, classified as included at eye level, is consistent with natural garnet formation and in many cases contributes to character without compromising structural integrity. The internal features appear as fine pinpoint crystals and occasional needle like inclusions, which sit below the pavilion or within facet junctions and do not create open cavities or cleavage planes. These inclusions, combined with the step cut, can actually enhance the perceived depth and create subtle internal reflections, adding complexity to the face up appearance. From a practical standpoint, the gem remains durable for standard jewelry wear, as garnet species generally possess adequate hardness and toughness for rings when set appropriately. For a stone of this size and with such clarity characteristics, recommended settings include bezel or prong systems that protect the corners and secure the pavilion, while allowing the large table to display the vivid hue. Because the piece is not treated, its color will remain stable under conventional wear conditions, and the excellent polish will maintain brilliant facet edges when cleaned with standard ultrasonic or steam methods depending on the final mounting materials.

This garnet is rare both in its physical size and its purplish pink color when compared to more commonly available garnets that trend toward red, brown, or orange tones and smaller sizes. Stones over five carats with vivid purplish pink saturation are seldom encountered in the market, and Tanzanian origin adds provenance value due to limited production of this particular color range in that region. For designers seeking high contrast combinations, consider pairing this garnet with a Semi Black Opal, an opal type characterized by a dark body tone that enhances play of color, creating a dramatic balance between the garnet capillary like color saturation and the opal fire. The Natural Gemstone Company curates this gem with attention to both lapidary quality and collector interest, and we highlight its suitability for bespoke commissions where the stone can be showcased as a centerpiece. For technical buyers and gem enthusiasts, this piece represents an opportunity to secure a naturally vivid, well cut, and untreated purplish pink garnet in a size category that is significantly rarer than typical market offerings.