Syrian Garnet

Syrian Garnet (also spelled Syriam Garnet) is a historic trade name for fine, deep red almandine garnet. The name is generally traced to Syriam, an old gem-trading center near Pegu in present-day Myanmar (Burma), rather than to Syria itself, though the spelling has caused lasting confusion.

Historically these rich, dark red, sometimes violet-tinged garnets were considered the finest grade — the "precious" or "noble" garnet, also known as carbuncle when cut as a smooth cabochon.

The term is now archaic but still appears in antique-jewelry and gemological literature.

Almandine, the iron-aluminum garnet, forms predominantly through regional metamorphism of aluminum-rich sedimentary rocks, producing garnet in schists and gneisses. It also occurs in some granites and pegmatites.

The gem-quality almandine associated with the Syrian/Syriam name was recovered from the alluvial gem gravels of Southeast Asia, particularly the deposits around Pegu in Myanmar. Like other durable garnets, it concentrated in stream gravels after the host rocks weathered away.

Syrian Garnet is a deep, often dark red to violet-red transparent stone with vitreous luster and high density.

• Hardness: 7-7.5.
• Streak: white.
• Optic character: singly refractive.
• Fracture: conchoidal, no cleavage.

Almandine's dark, slightly purplish red and high refractive index and density are diagnostic. Single refraction separates it from ruby and red tourmaline; deep tone and density distinguish it from lighter pyrope.

As fine almandine, Syrian Garnet was used in faceted gems and especially in cabochon-cut carbuncles popular in antique and Victorian jewelry. The name today is mainly of historical and collector interest.

Almandine is also used industrially as an abrasive. The stone carries the general metaphysical associations of garnet — protection and vitality — which are not scientific claims.