11.77 Ct. Rhodolite Garnet from Tanzania

This 11.77 carat oval purplish red rhodolite garnet from Tanzania is presented by The Natural Gemstone Company, exhibiting transparent clarity and an intense color tone that is both saturated and evenly distributed across the table. Dimensions are 14.06 x 11.96 x 8.19 mm, and the stone has been precision cut to a mixed brilliant style, combining a faceted crown optimized for scintillation with a stepped pavilion that controls light leakage and saturation. Clarity is graded as very slightly included at eye level, and the surface shows an excellent polish that produces crisp facet junctions and clean light return. The gem has been heat treated, a stable enhancement that is commonly employed to refine tone and reduce minor color inconsistencies, and the treatment is consistent with industry standards for rhodolite garnets sourced from this region.

The cutting geometry has been executed with an attention to optical balance, producing a depth to average diameter ratio of approximately 62.9 percent, a proportion that favors both lively face up brilliance and controlled body color for a strong purplish red presentation. The mixed brilliant concept used on this specimen places smaller crown facets to maximize dispersion and scintillation, while the pavilion steps align to produce a dense internal color core without excessive dark zones. Oval symmetry has been managed to minimize length to width distortion, preserving a visual weight appropriate to the reported carat size. Facet polish is excellent across both crown and pavilion planes, and the girdle profile is consistent and well centered, enabling secure setting options and minimizing the need for rework during mounting.

From a durability and wearability perspective this rhodolite garnet performs exceptionally well for daily jewelry use. Rhodolite garnets of this composition typically register between seven point zero and seven point five on the Mohs hardness scale, providing strong resistance to abrasion from ordinary contact and particulate wear. The gem belongs to the garnet group which is isometric and therefore optically isotropic, lacking cleavage planes that would otherwise predispose the material to splitting along crystallographic directions. Specific gravity for this garnet family is in the neighborhood of three point seven eight, contributing to a substantial feel in hand and facilitating stable setting retention. Thermal and light stability for rhodolite is generally robust, and the heat treatment applied is permanent under normal wearing conditions, meaning that routine exposure to sunlight and elevated ambient temperatures will not degrade the stone or its color.

Practical considerations for setting and maintenance further enhance this garnet as a daily wearable choice. For rings and bracelets where impact risk is greater a bezel setting is recommended to protect the girdle and crown, while prong settings with well proportioned claws are suitable for pendants and earrings where lateral knocks are less frequent. Cleaning by warm soapy water and a soft brush will restore surface luster efficiently, and ultrasonic cleaning is usually acceptable for well polished, very slightly included material, but should be avoided if inclusions are near facet junctions or if the setting exerts stress on the stone. Avoid strong acids, prolonged exposure to household bleach, and abrasive mechanical cleaning. The Natural Gemstone Company can advise on mounting orientations to minimize color shift in different light sources, and our lapidary team can provide additional information on facet proportions and pavilion angles on request, ensuring that this 11.77 carat Tanzanian rhodolite garnet delivers enduring performance and beauty in everyday jewelry applications.