Pyrope (Rhodolite) Garnet Faceting
Tips and suggestions about Pyrope Faceting. Brief details and straightforward information on Pyrope Faceting. Choose cuts that best fit Pyrope stones.
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Color: Red with brown tint
Moh's Hardness: 7.5
Refractive Index: 1.73-1.76
Critical Angle: 35.31°
Specific Gravity: 3.65-3.80
Cleavage: Imperfect
Fracture: Subconchoidal
Heat Sensitivity: Slightly
Birefringence (double refraction): 0.024
Crystal Structure: Isometric, rhombic, dodecahedron,icositetrahedron
Rhodolite (Garnet)
Rhodolite is actually classified as a Pyrope Garnet.
Color: Rose/red, purple/pink/red, violet/red
Rhodolite Garnets are pretty universal, and probably one of the most well know Garnets. They are readily available and not generally all that expensive. They are a good choice for anybody wanting to cut a nice Garnet.
What I prefer to polishing with: Alumina oxide with a tin lap (scored).
Jeff's Comments: Most Garnets cut and polish pretty easily (with the exception of a piece with bubbles/flaws) and a re really not much of a problem. Pre-polish with a 1200 steel (not Nu Bond, it will leave orange peel) and polish with tin lap. Watch for bubbles and silk.
Design Notes: Most of the red types of Garnet are saturated and I prefer checker boards and bar cut in them. On lighter Grossular Garnets and Mail types of Garnets I prefer a deeper design.
Design Links:
Tic Tac - Good for dark material
Smith Bar - Great for any material
Brilliant Pear - Nice in about anything
Jeff R. Graham
The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as Gram Faceting Designs.
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