This relatively new deposit of Demantoid garnets were found in a mangrove swamp, on the northwest coast of Madagascar. As is typical in Madagascar, when a few gem pebbles are found, a massive "rush," happens. In this case miners must dig holes 6 - 30 feet deep, but only at low tide. According to my friend who traveled to the site, the best colors were found early on in the strike. As the deposit has played out and gotten deeper, the colors have shifted to a more brownish shade of green. This piece shows great color, and excellent reflectivity. Some of these pieces have a color variance between daylight and fluorescent lighting. This piece is relatively consistent. The crystals cover 200 degrees around the whitish matrix (seen in "demantoid1d") It weighs 13.40 carats/ 2.68 grams.

Garnet var. Demantoid