Almandine (stone): description and properties

Almandin is a stone possessing a number of unique qualities. This kind of pomegranate is quite common in the world and is widely used in jewelry art.

Specialists appreciate this stone for its deep expressive color, radiance, unprecedented strength. But at the same time the almandine also has a quite moderate price.

Color, transparency, asterism

Almandin is a stone, a photo of which eloquently attests to its beauty. Not for nothing since ancient times this gem was decorated with church utensils and garments of priests. This stone can have any shade of red: from gently pink to almost black, like an expensive wine. Some almandines are incredibly similar to rubies, and it is sometimes impossible to determine the belonging of a stone without special expertise. Even an experienced jeweler will need equipment. It is not easier to distinguish almandine from some other varieties of pomegranate. And all because of the huge number of colors in which this stone can be painted. The shade is caused by the amount of impurities, mainly iron.

Almandin, which has transparency, is of considerable value. But opaque gems can be used only in arts and crafts.

If a ray of sunlight hits a faceted crystal of almandine, there will be a radiance above and around the stone. No other type of pomegranate has such an effect. No less rare is asterism. In almandine, it is very pronounced, even in opaque cabochons, luminous stars are clearly visible.

But the main characteristic of the almandine is its unprecedented firmness. Rubin only slightly surpasses him. Grenades are much inferior in this.

A small historical reference

For the first time the gem was described by Agricolla in 1546. But he was known to people long before that. The ancient Greeks linked the Almandin with the goddess Demeter, patronizing the harvest and fertility, and also with Hestia, under whose care was the sacrificial fire and the home. Since then, the almandine is considered a stone of two elements: earth and fire.

The name of the gem is due to the ancient eastern city of Alabanda - a major center for the trade in jewelry stones. It is believed that Alabandu was inhabited by skilled jewelers, but according to one version, the city was only a "transshipment" point, in which several trade routes intersected.

Place of Birth

Almandin is a stone that is mined in several countries of the world today. The most valuable today are gems from Sri Lanka.

Large deposits are also found in Brazil, the USA, Madagascar, India, Karelia, Austria, Finland. As you can see, the geography is very extensive.

In recent years the Karelian deposit is considered to be unpromising. Today the work is suspended. The tender for Almandine mining remained unclaimed and continues to wait for its buyer.

Physical and chemical properties

How does official science look at the almandine? Stone, whose properties could not be ignored by scientists, are described in detail by them.

Almandin has a density of 4.3 g / cm ³ , and its hardness reaches 7.5. The brilliance of the almandine is resinous, glassy, with pronounced asterism. The gem can be cherry, raspberry, purple, reddish-brown, burgundy-black. Cleavage is imperfect.

Magical properties

Since ancient times, people believed in the power that is endowed with the almandine. Stone, whose magical properties in ancient times, no one doubted, often became a companion of travelers, traders, soldiers.

Wards from this stone were worn to avoid poisoning, wounds, diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory system.

Like any other gemstone, almandine is associated with the sexual sphere. But unlike, for example, from pyrope, he is responsible not for stormy passions, but for deep feelings, understanding and harmonious relations between partners. This stone strengthens feelings and protects matrimonial fidelity.

Almandine heals

His red blood-colored color motivated faith in the defense of life. Crusaders wore amulet amulet, wishing to avoid wounds. Today, specialists in the field of traditional medicine use the vital energy of the almandine for the same purposes - for healing wounds and burns, facilitating inflammations, prompt regeneration of the skin, accelerating recovery after surgery.

Almandines are precious stones that can cope not only with bodily, but also with spiritual ailments. They will help to overcome fear, anxiety, uncertainty, depression. Ornaments with this kind of pomegranate normalize sleep, stabilize the emotional state. It perfectly suits everyone who practices spiritual practices.

Compatibility

Today, astrologers believe that almandine is the stone most suitable for those born in winter. Particularly favors the gem to those born under the sign of Capricorn.

Jewelry with almandine is often chosen by people engaged in the study of exact sciences, such as mathematics and astronomy. But at least it is preferred by astrologers, healers, seers. Almandin helps to reveal secrets, accumulate knowledge, find truth hidden from others.

Ornaments with almandine

Jewelers use many kinds of cuts for this gem. The most ancient and one of the most successful is the "saucer", in which its characteristics are revealed in the best way. But this is not the only kind of decent cut. Today, a very popular form of heart, rhombus, oval. Especially large gems with a complex cut facet of the master sometimes recover even in high-grade gold, creating real masterpieces.

There is also a polished, rather than faceted almandine in the art of jewelry. A stone may not have perfect transparency, but in this case it creates jewelry, not jewelry, supplementing it with silver and jewelry alloys.

Caring for stone

Jewelers advise to store ornaments with almandine in separate boxes. This rule applies to all stones with high strength. Especially cut (and not simply polished) almandine crystals can easily damage many other precious stones, pearls and even some metals.

As for most gems, for almandine, the harmful long-term effects of direct sunlight and high temperatures are disastrous. It is better to choose a dark place for storage. Periodically decorating with this gem should be washed under running water - this will help the stone to clean not only from the dust mixed with the traces of oil, but also to relieve the energy load.

With careful use, these stones will delight with beauty for many years and can serve as faith and truth for several generations.