On this page
UnderstandWhat it is, what people ask, how far this page goes
Natural inorganic gem materials · Mineral / gemstone variety · Natural identity; treatment status unknown
Rhodolite
Also known asRhodolite garnet
A purplish-red intermediate variety between Pyrope and Almandine, not a separate mineral species. This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.
Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.
What this page can answer
This page covers
- How Rhodolite forms and what gives its colourFormation setting, process and timescale; where its colour and optical effects come from, each finding graded and sourced
- How to identify RhodoliteHow far lab testing can go and whether a synthetic exists
- Treatments and enhancements of RhodoliteThe enhancements and treatments the GB/T and JJA/AGL tables list
- Caring for and wearing RhodoliteCleaning, heat, chemicals and light, as the cited sources give them
- Hardness, density and refractive index of RhodoliteEach value with its source and check date
- Rhodolite in English, Chinese and Japanese; national standard namesNames in four languages, the GB/T standard name and the suggested listing name; and: Which of GIA, FTC, CIBJO and Gem-A have a name for it on record, and do those agree?
- Listing and disclosing RhodoliteThe listing name to use; what must be disclosed before sale
- Standard clauses that define RhodoliteWhich clause defines it, each cross-checked
What we cannot conclude
- Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
- Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
- Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.
Material research: formation, causes and history
What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.
How it forms
Rhodolite is the familiar variety name for purplish-red garnet, which modern analysis identifies as a pyrope-almandine garnet — a solid-solution blend of the pyrope and almandine species rather than a species in its own right. GIA testing of purple material from Manica Province, Mozambique, gave pyrope 48.8–59.5%, almandine 37.9–47.6%, grossular 2.0–3.5% and spessartine 0.5–0.6%. Its purple hue results from absorption of visible light: the dominant absorption bands lie across the green-yellow region, and two strong blue and red transmission windows together yield purple to the eye. Red garnet of the almandine-pyrope family is the most widespread garnet, appearing in metamorphic rocks on every continent.
Scope: Used to explain the identity, composition and colour origin of "rhodolite" as a mixed pyrope-almandine variety; does not cover other purplish-red mixed garnet varieties.
Sources GIA Garnet Description · G&G Fall 2016
Where it forms
Metamorphic rocks (altered by heat and pressure): red garnets of the almandine-pyrope family occur widely in metamorphic rocks on every continent.
Sources GIA Garnet Description
East African deposits such as Manica Province, Mozambique: a source of purple pyrope-almandine material.
Sources GIA Garnet Description
How it forms, step by step
Under metamorphic conditions (heat and pressure), suitable bulk-rock chemistry promotes garnet crystallization, forming the almandine-pyrope solid solution.
Sources GIA Garnet Description
The almandine and pyrope end-members mix in variable proportions; material falling in the pyrope-almandine composition field is commonly called rhodolite.
Sources GIA Garnet Description
After growth, visible-light absorption (main bands in the green-yellow region, strong blue and red transmission) determines its purple-red appearance.
Sources GIA Garnet Description
Link to appearance
Rhodolite's purple-red colour is an absorption colour: UV-Vis-NIR shows the main absorption bands dominate the green-yellow visible region, and two strong blue and red transmission windows combine to give an eye-visible purple.
Sources G&G Fall 2016
Timescale
The cited sources give no absolute age or duration for the formation of rhodolite (pyrope-almandine).
Sources GIA Garnet Description · G&G Fall 2016
Related base materials
- Pyrope-almandine garnet (mixed species): variety-of | Rhodolite has been identified as a mixed pyrope-almandine variety
- Garnet group (nesosilicates): group-of | Belongs to the garnet mineral group
Supporting findings
The almandine-pyrope family of garnet (red garnet) is the most widespread, appearing in metamorphic rocks on every continent.
Evidence grade AScope: Concerns red garnets of the almandine-pyrope family generally, not rhodolite alone.
Sources GIA Garnet Description
Recorded localities
Authoritative sources list the localities below; the list is not exhaustive.
Africa
- Umba Valley, Tanga Region, Tanzania
Sources Gems & Gemology Summer 1999
- Manica Province (about 60 km NE of Chimoio), Mozambique
Sources G&G Fall 2016
Asia
- Elahera gem field, Central Province, Sri Lanka
Sources Gems & Gemology Summer 1986
These are localities recorded by authoritative sources, not an origin finding for any individual piece. The CIBJO Gemstone Book (2022, §4.2.3) says a place of origin names where a gem was mined or harvested, is a matter of opinion, does not imply a level of quality, and that cutting, processing or exporting centres must not be used to imply origin. See how far testing can go on this page, the origin determination guide and the overview of recorded localities.
Causes of colour and optical effects
Rhodolite's purple colour comes from visible-light absorption: the main absorption bands dominate the green-yellow region, and two strong blue and red transmission windows combine to produce an eye-visible purple.
Evidence grade AScope: A UV-Vis-NIR spectral explanation; no quantitative chromophore budget is given.
Sources G&G Fall 2016
Other research findings
Classified as a pyrope-almandine garnet — a blend of the pyrope and almandine species — rhodolite is the purple-red garnet variety.
Evidence grade AScope: A variety-to-species attribution; rhodolite is a mixture-variety name, not an independent species.
Sources GIA Garnet Description · G&G Fall 2016
For purple pyrope-almandine garnet from Mozambique, pyrope makes up 48.8–59.5% and almandine 37.9–47.6%, with grossular at 2.0–3.5% and spessartine at 0.5–0.6%.
Evidence grade AScope: LA-ICP-MS averages for Mozambican samples; other localities will differ.
Sources G&G Fall 2016
Taken together, the cited sources indicate that 'rhodolite' should be framed as a variety/trade name for a pyrope-almandine mixture rather than an independent mineral species.
Evidence grade AScope: Synthesis of two A-level GIA sources; a terminology-level framing.
Sources GIA Garnet Description · G&G Fall 2016
Limits of this research
- Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
- The sources give no absolute age, temperature/pressure or deposit-specific mechanism for rhodolite formation.
- The composition data come only from Manica Province, Mozambique, and do not represent all rhodolite.
- 'Rhodolite' is a variety/trade name; its composition-range boundaries are conventional and no single numeric definition is given in these sources.
Methodology
- Origin determination and its limits
- Quality grading and value factors
- How gemmology became a technical discipline
Evidence grades
- A
- Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
- B
- Institutional educational material
- C
- Specialist databases or cautious readings
A statement is never graded above its strongest source.
This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.
DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments
- Suggested listing name
- Rhodolite
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.196 “Rhodolite”
Construction or treatment status
Natural identity; treatment status unknown
Treatments recorded for this material: Heated / Heat-treated (via parent material), Filled / Fracture-filled (via parent material)
Related:Disclosure and cautions
This page cannot answer
Natural? · Origin · Price
A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.
Related:What this page can answer
Answer at a glance
A mixed-composition variety within the garnet group, not a separate mineral species.
Evidence
- CIBJO · 7.2.1.196
What this means for you
Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Rhodolite" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.
Known uncertainty
- Last reviewed
- 2026-09-01
Care and wear
Normal care for every gemstone (CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.1), in brief:
- Handle it gently.
- Store pieces apart when not worn, so they cannot scratch each other.
- Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
- Use ultrasonic cleaners only with caution.
The §6.1 wording and the full list of §6.2 special-care letters cited on this page are on the general gem care page.
The item-by-item care advice that the GIA Care and Cleaning Guide gives for the whole class, and so for Rhodolite, is set out in full under care on the Garnet entry.
Care
Rhodolite — care (heat): Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes.
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code e
- Treatment state
- any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-25
- Source
- CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022) (CIBJO): §8 Annex C, Rhodolite, p.54; §6.2 e (locator checked 2026-09-25)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-25
Rhodolite — care (special care): normal care, but avoid sudden temperature change.
AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.
- Treatment state
- untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th edition (August 2026) (AGTA): p.X, Gemstone Information Chart, Garnet Rhodolite N, CARE REQUIRED / SPECIAL ADVICE (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
Common care questions and matching entries
General careRhodolite is sensitive to sudden temperature changes (treatment state: any treatment state, CIBJO Gemstone Book); untreated Rhodolite needs only general care but should be kept away from sudden temperature changes (treatment state: untreated, AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th edition). CleaningThe GIA Care and Cleaning Guide gives its advice for the whole class, so it also applies to Rhodolite, and its full content is listed in the care part of the Garnet entry. General careGeneral care that applies to all gems, and the full table of special care codes, are in the general care paragraph on the materials index page.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Question | Matching entries |
|---|---|
| Heat and thermal shock | care (heat) |
Care entries by treatment state
The same entries grouped by the treatment state each applies to; each links to its full wording and source. Letters are CIBJO special-care codes, explained on the gemstone care page.
any treatment state
- care (heat) §6.2 e
untreated
Treatments and identification leads
One row per treatment, with three standards side by side: how often it occurs and how stable it is (CIBJO), its category in GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1 (this site's paraphrase) and how the JJA/AGL 2025 table lists it. Each CIBJO value links to its entry under “Testing and market”, where the wording and source are given in full.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Treatment | Market frequency (CIBJO) | Stability (CIBJO) | GB/T 16552 category | JJA/AGL listing | Identification leads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating | — | — | Optimization | — | — |
| Filling | — | — | Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1 | — | — |
“—” means the cited source gives no value for that item, not “none”. Source: GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1 (row for Garnet); JJA/AGL 2025
Whether a treatment has to show in the name differs between the two rule sets (this site’s paraphrase):
- GB/T 16552—2017: a method classed as treatment has to be stated in the name itself — the method put before the name, or added in brackets after it; a method classed as optimization does not need to appear in the name, though one marked “Optimization (annotation required)” still has to be noted in the quality documents. Source: §5.4.2.1 a), b); §5.4.2.2 a)
- CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022: no longer splits treatments into ones that need specific disclosure and ones that need only general disclosure: every treatment is to be disclosed, and the seller tells the buyer which treatment was used and what special care it calls for. Source: §4.2.5 Note 2, §4.2.5.1, pp.14–15
What this table covers
What this page can give
- Registered treatments, their stability and how often they occur (see the table above)
- Identification leads for each treatment, for use when sending a stone for testing
VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources
Names
Besides Rhodolite, the name register records "Rhodolite garnet", for which no restriction on use as a name is recorded; 2 further names in non-Latin scripts are listed in the name register below (2 with no restriction recorded on use as a name).
Standard and listing namesThe suggested listing name for Rhodolite is Rhodolite. The GB/T naming counterpart in Table A.1 of GB/T 16552—2017 is garnet, and the standard does not list Rhodolite itself. Candidate search termsThe supplementary note for garnet in GB/T 16553—2017 includes a Chinese synonym meaning red garnet, which is a search candidate only. Trade and mineralogical namesThe English market name and trade name or synonym are both Rhodolite garnet; the market name can be aligned automatically to Rhodolite, on the basis of this site's ruling rather than any clause. Candidate search termsThe Japanese transliteration follows the JJA/AGL (Japan) gem name handbook 2025 and is a search candidate only. Names in four languagesNames are given in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Rhodolite) and Japanese; the Japanese form is the entry's own, and the GSJ (Japan) wording is not yet verified by this site. Trade and mineralogical namesThe mineralogical name is a purplish-red pyrope-almandine garnet variety. Institution usageOn authority wording, CIBJO records Rhodolite (CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024); there is no wording for Rhodolite in the FTC text on file (checked); GIA and Gem-A are unchecked; bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name, which does not represent their position.
Name register
Every name recorded for this entry, with how it is classified, whether it may be matched to this entry automatically, whether it may be used as a product name, and the clause it rests on.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Name | Type | Matching | Use as a name | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no restriction recorded (3) | ||||
| Rhodolite garnetEnglish | market name | matched automatically | no restriction recorded | editorial ruling (no clause cited) |
| ロードライト・ガーネットJapanese | transliteration | search candidate only | no restriction recorded | JJA/AGL Gemstone Nomenclature 2025 p.9 |
| 红榴石Simplified Chinese | synonym | search candidate only | no restriction recorded | GB/T 16553—2017 5.1.15 |
How each authority words this name: see Names › Authority wording.
- GSJ (Japan) formal name
- ロードライト／薔薇柘榴石 (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
- GB/T naming counterpart (this name is not in the standard)
- 石榴石 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.1)
- Mineralogical name
- Purplish-red pyrope-almandine garnet variety
- Trade names and synonyms
- Rhodolite garnet (market name)
Four-language names
- 简体中文
- 玫红石榴石
- 繁體中文
- 玫紅石榴石
- English
- Rhodolite
- 日本語
- ロードライト／薔薇柘榴石
See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index
Classification
- Origin
- Natural materials
- Material domain
- Natural inorganic gem materials
- Browsing family
- Garnet-group minerals and gem varieties
- Identity tier
- Mineral / gemstone variety
- Mineral chemical class
- Silicates
- Construction or treatment status
- Natural identity; treatment status unknown
Treatments listed by standards
GB/T Table B.1For Rhodolite, this site applies the “Garnet” row of GB/T 16552—2017 Annex B, Table B.1: heating is classed as optimization; filling is marked as graded, with the grades defined on the Gem treatments page. What Table B.1 notes is also on the Gem treatments page. JJA/AGL designationsIn the “principal gem designations” table of the Japanese JJA/AGL “Definitions and Nomenclature of Gemstones and Ornamental Materials”, revised November 2025, Rhodolite Garnet is listed under the species name Almandine-Pyrope, with the colour purplish red, and with the note that the table includes a “no treatment” entry; how to read the JJA/AGL table is explained on the Gem treatments page.
GB/T 16552-2017, Annex B, Table B.1
Under the “Garnet” row of Table B.1: Heating Optimization; Filling Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1. The full row, with the effect column, is on the Garnet page.
What Table B.1 is, and how the “see 5.4.1” grades are defined: see the GB/T 16552: optimization vs treatment page.
JJA/AGL (Japan) table of principal gem names, 2025
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Gem name | Species | Colour | Listed in the table | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhodolite Garnet | Almandine-Pyrope | purplish red | an untreated tier is listed |
JJA/AGL definitions and nomenclature (2025 revision), table of principal gem names, p.9
How to read the JJA/AGL table: see the Gem treatments page.
What it is and how it's identified
Rhodolite is an intermediate variety between almandine and pyrope, with the composition of rhodolite (Mg,Fe)2Al2(SiO4)3, its phase belonging to the garnet group. Density 3.74–3.94 g/cm³ is derived from the clause value of 3.84 with an allowed deviation of ±0.10, and refractive index 1.74–1.77 from the clause value of 1.760 with an allowed deviation of +0.010/−0.020; density and refractive index are results for rhodolite itself, while most other items are registered for garnet (the whole mineral group). For garnet as a whole mineral group: crystalline, cubic, with a crystal habit of rhombic dodecahedra or trapezohedra and combinations of the two; Mohs hardness 7–8, no cleavage; optically isotropic, commonly with anomalous extinction, no birefringence, and no pleochroism when untreated. According to the cited clause, the UV-Vis spectrum is broadly the same as almandine, and the readings are those of the almandine item in the same clause: strong absorption bands at 504 nm, 520 nm and 573 nm, and weak absorption bands at 423 nm, 460 nm, 610 nm and 680–690 nm. For garnet as a whole mineral group, when untreated, the quality factor is vitreous to subadamantine lustre.
Registered material facts
Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.
Chemical composition, luminescence, UV-visible spectrum, infrared spectrum, magnification: these whole-class features are given in the cited clause for garnet (the whole mineral group), so they are not repeated on the Rhodolite page; see the material facts on the Garnet entry.
Items below that name the class they cover give the cited clause’s value for that whole class, not a measurement of Rhodolite (how to read class-level values).
Definition
Rhodolite: a variety intermediate between pyrope and almandine
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 Additional notes · Rhodolite (locator checked 2026-09-28)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Rhodolite — composition (chemistry): rhodolite: (Mg,Fe)2Al2(SiO4)3.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 Additional notes · Rhodolite (locator checked 2026-09-28)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Rhodolite — composition (phase): garnet group
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Structure
Rhodolite — structure (overall): crystalline
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- garnet (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Rhodolite — structure (crystal system): cubic
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- garnet (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Rhodolite — structure (crystal habit): rhombic dodecahedra, tetragonal trisoctahedra, or crystals combining the two forms.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- garnet (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Durability
Rhodolite — Mohs hardness: 7–8
GB/T 16553—2017
Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- garnet (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Rhodolite — cleavage: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- garnet (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Physical properties
Rhodolite — density: 3.74–3.94 g/cm³
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives 3.84, with a stated tolerance of ±0.10. The range shown here is worked out from that.
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 Additional notes · Rhodolite (locator checked 2026-09-28)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Rhodolite — density: 3.5–4.3 g/cm³
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- garnet (the whole mineral group)
- General note
- the clause has finer ranges
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Optical
Rhodolite — optic character: isotropic, commonly with anomalous extinction
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- garnet (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Rhodolite — refractive index: 1.74–1.77
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives 1.760, with a stated tolerance of +0.010 / -0.020. The range shown here is worked out from that.
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 Additional notes · Rhodolite (locator checked 2026-09-28)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Rhodolite — birefringence: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- garnet (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Rhodolite — pleochroism: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- garnet (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Rhodolite — spectrum (UV-visible): 504 nm strong absorption band; 520 nm strong absorption band; 573 nm strong absorption band; 423 nm weak absorption band; 460 nm weak absorption band; 610 nm weak absorption band; 680~690 nm weak absorption band.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
The clause we cite says it is basically the same as almandine. The readings listed here are those the same clause gives for almandine.
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 Additional notes (locator checked 2026-09-28)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Rhodolite — optical effect (asterism): seen; rare; generally a four-pointed star; occasionally a six-rayed star (almandine).
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- garnet (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Rhodolite — optical effect (colour change): seen
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- garnet (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Rhodolite — body colour: purple to red.
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Qualification
In chapter 7 of the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book, the colour descriptions of Red Beryl, Almandine, Amethyst and other entries also name purple or a purplish colour.
- General note
- colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
- CIBJO definitions
- asterism, colour change
Quality factors
Rhodolite — quality factor (lustre): vitreous to subadamantine
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- garnet (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.15 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.755 / 3.9; Closest values: 1Tsavorite 1.74 / 3.9, 2Burma Ruby 1.768 / 4, 3Pyrope 1.728 / 3.9, 4Ceylon Sapphire 1.768 / 4.03, 5Alexandrite 1.749 / 3.73
Show the full chart (330 registered materials)
Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22
Testing and market
The CIBJO laboratory protocol places Rhodolite under Garnet; its identification section is on the Garnet entry, and the list of required methods is on the laboratory testing page. The recorded identification conclusion is that no synthetic counterpart of Rhodolite is available on the market, from the CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (2022).
The CIBJO laboratory protocol covers Rhodolite under “Garnet” (§6.1.38): see identification on the Garnet entry; the required tests are listed on the CIBJO laboratory protocol table for Garnet.
How far testing can go
Rhodolite — synthetic counterpart on the market: No synthetic counterpart of this material is commercially available
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
- Treatment state
- any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
Clause-level definitions
Rhodolite is defined directly in CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 under the entry name Rhodolite. The definition places it as mineral group garnet and mineral/gem variety rhodolite, with the CIBJO wording quoted in full under Clause-level definitions on this page. The cross-check result is that it is defined directly by CIBJO, and no identically named English entry was found in the GB/T annex.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Term | Clause | Definition | Cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhodolite | 7.2.1.196 | Rhodolite is a purple to red garnet, with a mixed pyrope-almandine composition | Defined directly by CIBJO; no identically named English entry was found in this edition of the GB/T annex. |
Evidence and sources
Authority basis and clause sources
Sources
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. Gemmological Laboratories Book (Blue Book), Gemmological Commission 2024-1.
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. The Gemstone Book (Blue Book), 2022.
- SAMR / SAC (China). GB/T 16552—2017 Gems — Nomenclature.
- RRUFF Project, in partnership with the IMA – International Mineralogical Association. IMA Mineral List.
- Geological Survey of Japan, AIST (Japan). Museum mineral specimens, browse by classification.
Further reading
Related entries and topic cluster
Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.
Related-entry tree for Garnet on this site: 10 entries listed by this site's parent-entry links; synthetic, treated and similar entries carry their recorded state after the name; this page (Rhodolite) is marked.
- Garnet
Sub-entries (9)
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Page | Content | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing family | Garnet-group minerals and gem varieties | Live |
| Treatments recorded for this material | Heated / Heat-treated (via parent material), Filled / Fracture-filled (via parent material) | Live |
| Related articles | To be added (placeholder) | Planned |
Who maintains this page
The material facts in the Rhodolite entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.