The stone derives its name from the Greek word rhodon, which means rose coloured. The stone has a rich history prized by ancient Roman and Greek civilizations and was worn as a protective amulet against evil.
A member of the pyrope-almandine series, rhodolite comes from many localities in Tanzania, most notably from Umba since 1964. Rhodlite garnets have been found in hues ranging from dark red to purplish red. This rare garnet shows a wonderful velvety red with a fine purple or raspberry colored undertone. Besides its wonderful red colors, Rhodolite Garnet has additional advantages which make it a truly unique and valuable gemstone. There is its hardness of 7 - 7.5, making it suitable for any piece of jewelry. Additionally these gemstones have a high refractive index, giving them an exceptional brilliance.
