Where is the Star Garnet found?
Star garnets are extremely rare. India and Idaho are the two most famous star garnet localities and the only places where they have been produced in commercial quantities. Small amounts of star garnets have also been found in Russia, Brazil, and North Carolina.
Where is garnet in India?
Garnet is found to occur in beach sands along with ilmenite, rutile, sillimanite, etc. in the states of Kerala, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. The total resources of garnet in India as on 1.4.
Is Star Garnet rare?
Star garnet is an unusual form of garnet. Star garnets are so rare that to date they have only been found in two places in the world; in the state of Idaho in the USA and in India. The garnet varieties that occasionally exhibit asterism are almandine and a mixture of almandine and pyrope garnet.
How do you identify a star garnet?
Most star garnets look blackish red or dark purplish red. Bright red star garnets are said to cost more than good star rubies! The majority of star garnets from Idaho are very dark, almost black until they are viewed in direct sunlight or strong bulb light where you can see their deep purple color.
How are star garnets formed?
The “star” formation is created by diffracted light hitting trace minerals within the stone. The stone must be cut a very specific way for this to be revealed, but when it happens you will find a brilliant pattern that has an almost 3D effect when you move it around in the light.
What is Garnet made of?
What is Garnet? Garnet is the name used for a large group of rock-forming minerals. These minerals share a common crystal structure and a generalized chemical composition of X3Y2(SiO4)3. In that composition, “X” can be Ca, Mg, Fe2+ or Mn2+, and “Y” can be Al, Fe3+, Mn3+, V3+ or Cr3+.
Why is the Star Garnet Idaho’s state gem?
The mountains of Idaho contain veins of gold, silver, lead, zinc, cobalt, copper, and many other rare minerals – among these rare minerals are gems like the star garnet, jasper, opal, jade, topaz, zircon, and tourmaline. This is why Idaho’s nickname is “The Gem State.”
What are star garnets used for?
Star Garnet can enhance creativity. It stimulates the wearer’s curiosity and generates new ideas. It gives the power to the wearer to identify the truth and to live strongly in this world. The gemstone improves the thinking of the wearer and to bring new and fresh ideas.
Are there diamonds in Idaho?
Diamonds are found in Idaho, but not enough for mining, but rockhounds find a few. The biggest diamond ever found in the U.S. was found between McCall and New Meadows. Queen Elizabeth’s crown has 2,868 diamonds in silver mounts, and also 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 269 pearls in gold mounts.
Where can you find garnets in the United States?
Garnet mines and occurrences are located in 21 States, but the only presently active (2006) mines are in northern Idaho (garnet placers; one mine), southeastern Montana (garnet placers; one mine), and eastern New York (unweathered bedrock; two mines).
Can Jade be found in California?
Along the rocky coastal stretch of Big Sur in California there are number of spots where jade stone can be found. Some of the areas where one can look for jade are Willow Creek, Gem Cove, San Simeon, Jade Cove and Sand Dollar Beach. However the quality of the jade found here is not of particularly high quality.
Where can I mine for gems?
Glen Innes, New South Wales On the northern border of New South Wales, in the hills of the Great Dividing Range, lies one of Australia’s most renowned fossicking sites. Glen Innes and surrounds is the most prolific sapphire region in New South Wales and one of the world’s richest mineral diversity belts.
What is your state gem?
Table of minerals, rocks, stones and gemstones
| State federal district or territory | Mineral | Gemstone |
|---|---|---|
| California | Gold (1965); California’s nickname is the Golden State | Benitoite (1985) |
| Colorado | Rhodochrosite (2002) | Aquamarine (1971) |
| Connecticut | Almandine garnet (1977) | |
| Delaware | Sillimanite (1977) |
How do I identify my rocks?
Can you identify my rock or mineral?
- Your state geological survey.
- A natural science museum.
- A college or university with a geology department.
- A rockshop.
- Members of a local Gem & Mineral club or Rockhunting club (many hobbyists are experts at identification)
- Vendors at a Gem & Mineral show.
Are rocks worth any money?
Searching for valuable rocks is an engaging hobby that can sometimes yield a little extra cash, and in some instances, you may make an incredibly profitable discovery….Granite is much harder than gold, but it’s far less valuable than gold.
| Rock, Mineral, Metal | Mohs Value |
|---|---|
| Fluorite | 4 |
| Calcite | 3 |
| Silver | 2.75 |
| Gold | 2.5 |