East Africa’s Hidden Palette: Beyond the Classic Garnets
If you appreciate niche gemstones that offer surprise and sophistication then let me tell you, East Africa truly is the gemstone boutique of the world.
While you've likely heard of the region's famous discoveries -like vivid Tsavorite Garnet and the iconic Tanzanite, both unearthed here in the 1960s- the sheer range of hues just within the Garnet family alone, extending far beyond the typical greens and purples, is astonishing.
The Unexpected Spectrum of Spessartine Garnet
Take, for instance, Spessartine Garnet (sometimes called Spessartite). When you think of Spessartine, a fiery, pure orange or "Mandarin" tone often comes to mind. However, in the mineral-rich landscape of East Africa, the colour palettes blend in unique ways to create a myriad of subtle, beautiful shades in between.
During our recent sourcing trip, we were spellbound by this selection, discovering varieties that range from beautiful pinks-often affectionately referred to as "Lotus Garnet"-to refreshing, crisp mint greens. It really is a case of "expect the unexpected" when it comes to East African gemstones! These unique stones will certainly be a vibrant addition to our gemstone library and future jewellery pieces.
The Challenge of the Gemstone Journey: Rough to Retail
It's an important detail to note that these unique stones are, by and large, brought to you through small-scale artisanal mining operations.
It may be a surprise to learn that the huge majority of these stunning rough crystals are routinely exported and then cut, polished, and sold through major global gemstone cutting hubs like Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Bangkok (Thailand), rather than being cut and sold right here in East Africa.
This reality highlights the ongoing need for gemstone faceting skills within the region. It's a critical point in the gem supply chain that we are passionate about addressing, and one we will certainly be diving into more deeply in a future post, as we continue to champion a more responsible and traceable gemstone journey.
