Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist_-_November_-_December_2019

20 LAPIDARY JOURNAL JEWELRY ARTIST

PURPLISH-PINK, ROSE, LAVENDER, and

raspberry are all terms used to describe the

lusciousness that is rhodolite garnet. Next to

tanzanite and irradiated blue topaz, rhodolite was

probably the biggest new gemstone to hit the

market in the 20th century — and for good reason.

First of all, it’s a garnet: hard, durable,

beautiful, untreated. (Garnets are a group

of gemstones all intermingling chemical and

optical properties, with rhodolite falling between

almandine and pyrope.) Second, there is the

color. What’s not to love?

Because there are a number of secondary colors

in rhodolite — a wine-colored stone may have

echoes of red, pink, or even orange — rhodolites

can be hard to incorporate with other gemstones.

But a nice-sized rhodolite in a ring can stand

alone with just a diamond for accent. A rhodolite

pendant on a single or multiple-strand pearl

necklace is a smashingly elegant piece of jewelry.

Look for white pearls, of course, for contrast, but

try to fi nd some with a hint of pink in the body

color or overtone.

Rhodolites can look very contemporary, but in

the right setting, they can be classic as well. The

color makes them very romantic and they are a

favorite among women. If you are making jewelry,

these are stones you should get to know well.

Smokin’ Stones

By Sharon Elaine Thompson

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A Complex Bouquet

Wine-tinted rhodolite off ers stunning color in the

durability of garnet