The USA produced some stunningly large, well-formed crystals of up to 9kgs.

Unfortunately the greatest part of the material found is of merely mineralogical interest. In the USA there are many deposits, some of which are quite productive. Of the numerous other localities all over the world the following three shall be mentioned for reasons of oddity: The most important almandine localities on the African continent are in Zambia (Mazabika River), Tanzania and in southern Kenya. Other important Asian almandine deposits are Pakistan´s Swat Valley, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Only Orissa boasts a sizeable rhodolite deposit, most others are in Rajasthan.

Interestingly, the Indian garnet deposits are located in the north of the subcontinent, whereas most other Indian gemstones are found in the southern states of Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Most likely the garnets, which the Romans thought to have come from Carthage, Ethiopia and Alabanda, actually were of Indian origin and had found their way to the Mediterranean via the Silk Route. The most important source is, and has been for thousands of years, India. Localities: the biggest almandine deposits are in Asia. Garnets from Alabanda had a reputation of being particularly valuable.Ĭan be confused with: other red garnets and other red stones like spinel and rubellite (red tourmaline). Pliny the Elder mentions Alabanda as a garnet cutting and trade center. Origin of name: after the city of Alabanda near Miletos and Ephesos in Asia Minor (Turkey). It is also the most common garnet.Īlmandine of typical colour, checkerboard cut Without doubt almandine is the oldest garnet known to mankind.

Amadine garnet