Learn About Rhodolite
Rhodolite gets its name from the Greek word ‘rhodon’ which means ‘rose.’ Such an apt name for this pretty stone!
Rhodolite
- Garnet group of minerals
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Positivity
Round
Pear
Oval
Round
Pear
OvalOverview
When we mention garnet, most of us imagine a deep red gemstone. But surprisingly, it comes in a variety of species and blends; which means it is available in an assortment of stunning hues. Rhodolite happens to be its purple-red variety.It is believed to have been first discovered at the turn of the 19th century in North Carolina, the USA, and its composition is closely related to pyrope and almandine garnet
While references related to ancient symbolism of garnet can be found in abundance, the same is not the case when it comes to the rhodolite.
1. Key Origin
- Mined in different parts of the world - India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and Brazil being common sources
- The Umba River Valley in Tanzania, however, is known for being home to some of the best quality rhodolite gemstones in the world
2. Associations
- Rhodolite is associated with love and passion.
- Rhodolite has a slightly more sensuous appeal to it.
- Popular in crystal therapy and is used for emotional healing and to balance the flow of energies in the body
Properties
Rated 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness
01Hardness & Strength
The Mohs scale was developed to measure the hardness of a mineral and give it a subsequent rating from 1 to 10. While 1 represents extreme malleability, 10 indicates exceptional hardness. Rhodolite has a rating of 7-7.5, which means it is quite durable. You can consider wearing this gem in a variety of jewellery and different settings. As with any gemstone, however, it must be treated with love and care.
02Treatment
The intense hue of this gem is completely natural. The majority of the rhodolite stones available in the market do not require any kind of artificial enhancements or treatments. It is possible to come across ‘synthetic rhodolites’, which are essentially just lookalikes. To ensure you’re buying real and natural rhodolites, make the purchase only from a reputed brand and always check for the Certificate of Authenticity.
Know About Other Gems
Rhodolite
"Rhodolite gets its name from the Greek word ‘rhodon’ which means ‘rose.’ Such an apt name for this pretty stone!”
- Garnet group of minerals
- Rose pink - deep purple
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Positivity
- Round
Pear
Oval
Know About Other Gems
Garnet
Don't garnets remind you of pomegranate seeds? Well, turns out their name actually comes from a Latin word that means pomegranate!
- Silicate
- Primarily red
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Capricorn Aquarius
- Love, Friendship, Passion
- January
Amethyst
Amethyst is love in a gem! St. Valentine too is believed to have worn an amethyst ring with Cupid’s image.
- Quartz
- Purple, Pale lilac, Deep reddish purple
- 7 Mohs
-
Aquarius Pisces
- Wisdom, Peace, Good fortune
- February
Opal
Ancient legends suggest opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. That probably explains why this gem is so magical!
- Hydrated Silica
- All colours
- 5 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Hope, Purity, Truth
- October
Aquamarine
From its hue to its name, everything about aquamarine swirls around water. No wonder the mermaids called it their own!
- Beryl
- Pale blue, Greenish blue, Pastel blue
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Aries Pisces
- Serenity, Clarity, Harmony
- March
Ruby
Did you know ruby and sapphire are cousins? They come from the same mineral family, which is corundum!
- Corundum
- Red
- 9 Mohs
-
Cancer Leo
- Love, Power, Passion
- July
Moonstone
Moonstone was declared the state gem of Florida in 1970 to honor NASA’s lunar landing and the Kennedy Space Center.
- Feldspar
- Colourless, White
- 6 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Gemini Cancer
- Good fortune, Luck
- June
Tanzanite
Though a new discovery, tanzanites could quickly become extinct! It's because they're mined in only one place on Earth.
- Zoisite
- Violet purple, Bluish violet
- 6 to 7 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Abundance, New beginnings
- December
Onyx
Many cultures believed onyx could absorb negativity. In fact, the more negativity it absorbed, the darker it became!
- Silicate
- Primarily black
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
- Courage, Power, Good fortune
Sapphire
The most obsessed-over sapphire in the world is the 12-carat stunner on Princess Diana’s legendary engagement ring.
- Corundum
- Every colour but red
- 9 Mohs
-
Libra Virgo
- Truth, Sincerity, Loyalty
- September
Emerald
Cleopatra was crazy about emeralds! She even took over a few Greek mines, hoping to keep all the jewels for herself.
- Beryl
- Green, Bluish green, Deep green
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Taurus Gemini
- Good fortune, Balance, Growth
- May
Tsavorite
Tsavorites may look like emeralds, but in reality, they are roughly 200 times rarer than emeralds.
- Garnet group of minerals
- Green
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
- Strength, Vitality, Positivity
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz isn't just a pretty gem. It's believed to attract love and bring in peace and tenderness to your life.
- Quartz
- Shades of pink
- 7 Mohs
- Love, Harmony
Peridot
Unlike most gemstones that come in different colours, peridot is found only in olive green. It's a special gem, for sure!
- Olivine
- Yellowish green, Deep dark olive, Yellow-green
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
-
Leo Virgo
- Prosperity, Good fortune
- August
Swiss Blue Topaz
Wear a topaz and it could make you invisible in times of emergency. Farfetched? Well, that's what the Ancient Greeks believed!
- Silicate
- Yellow, Orange, Brown
- 8 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Love, Loyalty
- November
Citrine
In the middle ages, citrine was also called the ‘merchant's stone’ as it was believed to bring success and prosperity.
- Quartz
- Yellow-orange, Pale yellow
- 7 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Positivity, Optimism
- November
Tourmaline
Self-love is the best kind of love and tourmaline is considered to be the best gem to help you in this journey.
- Silicate
- All colours
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Friendship, Compassion
- October
Morganite
Morganites were named after J.P. Morgan, who wasn't just a genius in all things finance, but a gem enthusiast too.
- Beryl
- Pale pink, Peach
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Romance, Love, Harmony
Turquoise
Would you believe us if we told you that the gorgeous turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in the world?
- Turquoise
- Blue, Greenish blue
- 5 to 6 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Positivity, Happiness
- December
The 4C’s
The below-mentioned factors help determine a rhodolite's true value:
- Colour
- Carat
- Clarity
- Cuts
01Colour
- An excellent quality tsavorite displays a rich green colour that is intense without being too dark or cloudy.
- Vanadium is responsible for its eye-catching hue.
- Avoid stones pale in colour or have a yellow undertone, opt for vibrant green tsavorites.
02Carat
- It’s easy to find this gem is different carat weights, with 1 and 2 carats being popular options
- The price of the stone does increase considerably once it crosses the 1-carat mark
- An heirloom grade rhodolite in lesser carat weight will always be a better option
03Clarity
- It’s normal for rhodolite, to have flaws/inclusions.
- Rhodolites are blessed with good saturation and deep colour, so most flaws are not visible.
- Strictly avoid stones that have inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye.
04Cuts
- Rhodolite is available in a variety of shapes, with oval, pear, and round being the most common options.
- Well-faceted rhodolites exude maximum brilliance.
- Pick a stone that looks radiant and showcases a clean cut when viewed from all angles
Quality & Grading
Unlike diamonds, there is no standard grading system for this gem. However, based on different physical attributes, rhodolites can be graded into the following categories:
| Gem Quality | Color | Clarity | Brilliance | Rareness | Shop Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heirloom (AAAA) |  Vivid Purplish Red | Eye Clean | Very High | Top 1% |
Bezel-Set Pear Rhodolite Leverback Drop Earrings€1375 |
| Best (AAA) |  Medium Purplish Red | Eye Clean | High | Top 10% |
Bezel-Set Rhodolite Teardrop Earrings with Diamond€1283 |
| Better (AA) |  Medium to Dark Reddish Purple | Slightly Included | Medium | Top 33% |
Classic Claw-Set Pear Rhodolite Solitaire Stud Earrings€1176 |
| Good (A) |  Dark Reddish Purple | Moderately Included | Low | Top 75% |
Rhodolite Teardrop Pendant with Diamond Halo€1892 |
Rings
Earrings
Bracelets
Necklaces
Care Instructions
The rhodolite is a unique-looking gem that’s sure to effortlessly grab attention. The fact that it’s a considerably durable stone makes it perfect for everyday wear. To maintain its beauty and shine, keep the following easy tips in mind.
