Pyrope
Christian Ortiz
Where is the Pyrope Gemstone from?
Pyrope is the most well-known gemstone form of Garnet. The term Garnet describes a group name for several closely related minerals that form important gemstones, and Pyrope is an individual member mineral of the Garnet group. Its dark, blood-red color is distinct and attractive, and makes a fine Garnet gemstone. In the gem trade, the term Pyrope is rarely used on its own. It is either generically called "Garnet", or "Pyrope Garnet".
What are the most widely used Garnet gemstones?
Almendine and Pyrope are the most widely used Garnet gemstones. Though Almandine is the most common Garnet, it is usually opaque and not fit for gemstone use. Only the less common transparent dark red forms of Almandine are used as gemstones. Pyrope is especially noted for its transparency and frequent lack of flaws or inclusions. A rose-red to violet variety of Pyrope (or intermediarybetween Almandine and Pyrope) is known as Rhodelite and is a very well represented in the gem trade.
Uses for this gemstone?
Pyrope is cut into red Garnet gemstones and used in all forms of jewelery, especially rings, earrings, and pendants. It is also polished into cabochons and beads for use in bracelets and necklaces, and may be tumbledinto smooth irregular stones for jewelry.
Pyrope Jewlery
Pyrope garnets are commonly seen in antique jewelry, mainly from the Victorian period. Pyrope garnets are typically dark red to slightly brownish-red in color and are seldom larger then a few carats. Until the late nineteenth century, the Czech Republic was the main source for these gems. The pyrope garnets in this antique hairpin are from the Czech Republic.