Almandine or Almandite

Description

Almandine is a red or red and violet kind of garnet. This is the hardest and one of the most wide-spread varieties of garnet. Only rubies that are similar in color are harder than almandines. Almost black almandines are quite rare.
The name of the mineral is a distortion of word alabanda, the name of the town in Asia Minor, the place where these stones are faceted since ancient times. According to another version, Alabanda was only a staging post of ancient trade roads. In any case it is clear why almandines were often called alabandine rubies in the ancient times. Elder Plinus in his compositions called alamandines as alabandine rubies. Jewelers from Europe quite often called garnets and almandines as carbuncles. In German these stones were known as karfulkelstein Depending on the place of mining and processing almandines are known as Ceуlon and American garnets.
Almandines can have cherry red, crimson, violet, and even brown and red color. The intensity of shading depends on the quantity of iron compounds. Only transparent almandines can are considered as jewelry stones. The deposits of almandines exist in India, Mongolia, Madagascar, Finland and Karelia.

Valuation of Almandine

In the world markets almandine is valued higher than garnet. Brilliant of Almandine

However, remember that one can distinguish between them only by using special methods of diagnosis. Jewelery class almandines are produced in the placers of Finland, Australia, Sri Lanka Island and Madagascar. The size of almandine crystal varies from several millimeters to almost 4 centimeters. Usually the jewelers mount into the jewelries the stones that are not less than 5 millimeters. In Russia almandines with even red, orange and red cherry shades are used. At the same time the crystals with dimensions bigger than 5*5*5 are considered as the first grade and crystal less than 4*4*4 as the second grade.

Magical properties

Together with Arizona rubies almandines are considered the fire stones. Many people revered almandines and attributed to it such magical properties as the capability to drive off grief and bring joy, heal heart and brain, stir passion and at the same time moderate anger. Indian yogis believed almandine to be the stone with powerful energy properties. It favorably affects the man's emotions. There is no coincidence that in Europe almandines were believed to be the stones of balls and masked balls.

Healing stones

Almandine possesses the projective Jan energy. There is a belief that almandines from Makzaban deposit have brightly expressed medical properties. Crusaders wore the rings with almandines to protect themselves from illnesses and wounds. Almandine Ring

There is no coincidence that these stones were attributed the capability to deliver from pain. In Rus there was a popular belief that such stones help pregnant women during childbirth. The healing book of the 16th century says that almandine brings joy to heart, drives off indecent thoughts, and increases the intellect and honor. Indian Ayurveda says that this stone is favorable for the treating dysbolism. It helps to heal the wounds, gives energy to heart and lungs and supports immunity. Yogis note that the low vibration frequency of almandine is aimed to mental and physical body. The stone favorably affects the emotional state, stabilizes the heart function and helps during inflammatory process. It favors the regeneration of organs and tissues, stimulates the blood circulation and improves potency. They say that almandines favor to wounds healing. These stones favorably affect metabolism.

Astrology

It is believed that the decorations with almandines are most suitable to the people born under Capricorn sign. Astrologists recommend the people born under the sign of Pisces and Gemini not to wear such decorations.