Pyrope (Rhodolite) Garnet Faceting

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