Color Change Garnet

Color Change Garnet is a very rare garnet that displays a complete change of color when viewed under incandescent light and white light. The finest stones exhibit a vivid bluish-green under white light (daylight equivalent), often with a dark tone, and change to an intense purplish-red under incandescent light. These are not to be confused with the much more common color-shift garnets which display minimal color alterations under different light sources.

Fine Color Change Garnets are very rare indeed. The finest stones that exhibit the most complete color changes are found in only a very few places in the world, namely Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar. Similarly, the combination of trace elements it contains (principally high levels of Chromium and Vanadium, which are chiefly responsible for its unique color change phenomenon) are extremely rare in the earth’s surface.

Color Change Garnets vary in price depending on a variety of factors - principally, the extent of the color change itself. The finest and most valuable stones exhibit a complete change from blue-green to intense purplish-red and command upwards of $1,800 per carat at retail, particularly in sizes over a carat. Larger stones with perfect change can command prices over $3,000 per carat. When compared to the price of Alexandrite, which is its doppelganger – upwards of $30,000 per carat, it becomes clear how underpriced and special color change garnets truly are

Color Change Garnets’ incredible ability to exhibit a different color when held under different light sources is due to several factors. Principally, their high levels of Chromium and Vanadium, known as trace elements. These trace elements absorb different parts of the color spectrum as light passes through it, leading the human eye to perceive a different color from the resulting reflection. Under incandescent light, which is skewed to the red/orange part of the spectrum, the trace elements absorb all whites blues and greens and reflect a dominant red color, whilst under daylight, they do the opposite, reflecting a dominant blue/green color.

In order to view the change, you will need two light sources – an incandescent light (in the range of 2,700 kelvin) and a Daylight Equivalent light (in the range of 6,500 kelvin). Hold the garnet face up under the Daylight equivalent light and it should display a vivid, deep bluish-green. Turn off that light and then hold it under the incandescent light. It should change to an intense purplish red.

Yes, Color Change Garnets make up a portion of many an investor’s portfolio. In order to qualify as a viable investment, a gemstone should have two important characteristics – rarity and very limited and shrinking supply and high demand and appreciation in the marketplace. These classic economic indicators underpin a gemstone’s propensity for future price rises and therefore its suability as an investment gem.