The Imperial Malaia Garnet Story

The Imperial Malaia Garnet story is told in letters from All That Glitters to GIA and in the related article published by GIA from the example provided by

First letter to GIA accompanying the Imperial Malaia gemstone for the future G&G article. The term Imperial Malaia Garnet is first used here.    View Letter

The Gems & Gemology, GIA article showing the orignal gemstone stone from 
All That Gliterrs, with the physical description of the material can be viewed below:

View Article

A newer garnet is also seen being sold as Imperial Garnet, and is similar in some ways to Imperial Malaia Garnet , but different enough that I would call it simply Imperial Malaia Garnet Type II - good stones of this Imperial Garnet are not common, but less rare than the Imperial Malaia Garnet described in the G&G article. The major difference being a lower RI value (this might vary slightly), the lack of strong anomalous refraction and the material seems to come slightly cleaner and larger. The material seems to be dichoic, a similar property to the original Imperial Malaia Garnet find. In the letter below, we describe what we have learned and also mention Champagne Garnet, which is a beige or tan garnet without similar properties to either Imperial Malaia Garnet or Imperial Malaia Garnet Type II.
View Letter

We have been the sole purchaser of this material. We have had very few stones over the past 5 years though we have constantly attempted to obtain more from the source.

Note that the stones look dichroic (two distinct colors displaying within the stone - the property is not very evident in these photos). This dichroic property is impossible because of the physical property of garnets. There are some gemstones, however, that "seem" to be dichroic - this is due to strong anomalous refraction and this is one of the reasons why this find is unique. Also note that there is a strong color shift from typically a very pale orange, pink or beige/tan, to intense pink, pinkish red, orange, reddish orange, peachy orange, etc. Since light sources typically contain many wavelenths and many rooms contain different light sources, these stones will typically show many different colors at the same time. Truly, a unique gemstone rarity. We know of no other companies currently selling this material.

Color Comparison of same stone-different lights
Note the color shift of the 1.93ct Oval Imperial Malaia Garnet.  The picture on the right shows more of the pseudo-dichroism.   Depending on the light, the stone maybe more orange, peach or red; perhaps all colors at the same time too!  (SOLD!)

In certain lights, this looks light it "could" be Imperial Malaia" - but it's not....

Though this has the orange component and a slight dichroic look, this is NOT Imperial Malaia Garnet due to a number of missing physical properties.  The color is reminiscent of Imperial Malaia - note that the actual stone in person appears more peach, but does pick up the reddish overtones as does the Imperial Malalia pictured above when photographed under the same lights and with the same camera.  (SOLD!)

Once again, this material is no longer available. We hope to have a few pieces sporadically, and theyear - and cannot Do not expect anything new as miners are mining sapphires and don't have an interest in garnets, regardless of how rare they are. The miners find it more profitable to mine sapphires than to look for a rare garnet for months and never find anything! If you are interested in this material, please feel free to send us an email to have your name added to the list of those currently waiting. Prices for stones of slightly larger or smaller than 1 carat are running approximately $250-350 per carat, which for the money, is a steal since other garnets such as regular Malaia, Spessartites, etc. are frequently priced higher! These gemstones are far more rare than Alexandrite.......

Fluorescent Lights	Incandescent
1.56ct Elongated Cushion  Imperial Malaia  Garnet
This rare and seldom seen material was brought to the trade's attention by L. Allen Brown of All That Glitters in 1996.   All That Glitters has been the sole seller of this material - we do not know of any others who have this rare gemstone.  Unfortunately, this is so rare that only a few gems are produced.  Currently, due to the rarity, it it not worth the time and effort to mine this material  - sapphires have commanded more attention vs. finding a rarity after toiling for perhaps months... (SOLD!)

To see if we have any Imperial Malaia Garnet currently in inventory, please check our Imperial Malaia Garnet Photos Page:  < Imperial Malaia Garnet Inventory >