star garnets

[slottechaj]

here's What You Use To Be Able To dig Up At Emerald creek Idaho.
Anybody Else Have Any Cool Pictures To Share. My Mother And Law And Her Brothers Use To Go Up And Dig In The 60S SheSays This One was Considered Just Ok Cause It Wasn't Crystal Clear.

 

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[G Freeman]

here's What You Use To Be Able To dig Up At Emerald creek Idaho. View attachment 1079920View attachment 1079921View attachment 1079922View attachment 1079922View attachment 1079923
Anybody Else Have Any Cool Pictures To Share. My Mother And Law And Her Brothers Use To Go Up And Dig In The 60S SheSays This One was Considered Just Ok Cause It Wasn't Crystal Clear.

Just great. Sure are pretty. Welcome to Tnet.

 

[BurntBear]

Very cool! I like Garnets.

 

[DDancer]

Nice crystals Why are you calling them star garnets?
Welcome to the forum.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

They're star garnets because when they're cut in cabs, if done at the correct orientation, they show a "star" in the finish. I think idaho is the only place that has them, or had them. They're Idaho's State Gem.
Jim

 

[BurntBear]

I think Star Garnets are sometimes more attractive than Star Rubies when cabbed.

 

[DDancer]

I guess I'm not being clear What characteristics does the raw material demonstrate, without cutting them, that allows one to determine if the garnet will have asterisk patterns aside from the locality where they are found?

 

[BurntBear]

DDancer,

The only difference I can find in the rough is the Star Garnets appear more opaque due the inclusions of Rutile. Dark, nearly brown in color. Most likely a very similar comparison of say Ruby and Star Ruby. -Luke

 

[Eu_citzen]

Under a strong light one can see the start effect, often in addition to a fluid. That's how we cutters orient star-showing gems.

I've cut small garnets from Mozambique that had cat's eye effect. Those star garnets from Idaho can be worth a few dollars.

 

[DDancer]

Interesting *nods* thanks.