The facts
What star Garnet actually is
Mineralogically, star Garnet is garnet group (almandine) — Fe²⁺₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃, crystallising in the isometric system.
The colour is caused by fe²⁺ gives the deep red-brown; the four- or six-rayed star comes from oriented rutile and ilmenite needles. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.790 (spot), and the specific gravity sits near 4.05–4.20; cleavage is none; conchoidal fracture.
Where star Garnet comes from
The recognised sources are Emerald Creek, Benewah County, Idaho, USA, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India and Sri Lanka gem gravels.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How star Garnet is treated
Untreated. Idaho material gives the rare four-rayed star and is the state gem; Indian material is more common and usually darker. Star quality depends entirely on orienting the cabochon dome to the needle planes.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What star Garnet is confused with
The usual confusions are Star sapphire, Star diopside and Star spinel.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.790 (spot) and specific gravity 4.05–4.20 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What star Garnet is used for
Star Garnet is bought by jewellery and mineral collecting — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Star Garnet is 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale, with none; conchoidal fracture cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What star Garnet costs
Indicative pricing for star Garnet is 20–200 USD/ct; sharp Idaho four-ray stones at the top of that range.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is star Garnet treated, and how?
Untreated. Idaho material gives the rare four-rayed star and is the state gem; Indian material is more common and usually darker. Star quality depends entirely on orienting the cabochon dome to the needle planes.
Where does star Garnet come from?
Emerald Creek, Benewah County, Idaho, USA, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India and Sri Lanka gem gravels. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is star Garnet hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does star Garnet cost?
Indicatively 20–200 USD/ct; sharp Idaho four-ray stones at the top of that range. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is star Garnet confused with?
Most often Star sapphire, Star diopside and Star spinel. A refractive index of 1.790 (spot) and a specific gravity near 4.05–4.20 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for star garnet?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about star garnet