What is the horsetail inclusion?

A radiating cluster of chrysotile asbestos fibres centred on a chromite crystal, found in Russian Ural Mountains demantoid garnet. It is the diagnostic origin marker accepted by GIA, Lotus, GRS, SSEF, and Gübelin. Demantoid showing a horsetail is Russian; demantoid without one is Madagascar, Namibian, or another origin.

Why is Russian demantoid more expensive than Madagascar?

Pedigree, supply, and the horsetail inclusion. The Tsarist-era discovery and Fabergé association anchor the variety historically. Modern Russian production is small. Madagascar produces larger sizes at a fraction of the price and lacks the horsetail. At equivalent colour, Russian demantoid trades at 2–5× Madagascar at the same size.

Is demantoid suitable for daily wear?

Demantoid is Mohs 6.5–7 — softer than ruby/sapphire (9) but acceptable for occasional-wear pieces. For engagement rings, protective bezel settings are recommended. The dispersion (fire) is one of the highest in the gem world, exceeding diamond.

Can I commission a piece if Russian demantoid is not in inventory?

Yes — sourcing through the curator's network is available. Russian demantoid is a thin-supply category and lead times are longer than for in-stock stones (typically 4–16 weeks). Contact the curator at +1-416-366-3335 or [request a private viewing](https://skyjems.ca/pages/schedule-a-private-viewing).

ENCYCLOPEDIA · DAVID SAAD · SKYJEMS

Russian Demantoid Garnet — Untreated, Lab-Certified

Name: Skyjems
Address: 27 Queen St East, Suite 1011, Toronto, ON, M5C 2M6, CA
Telephone: +1-416-366-3335
Price range: $$$$

Key concepts: demantoid garnet, russian demantoid, horsetail inclusion, andradite garnet, urals demantoid

Demantoid is a calcium-iron andradite garnet whose green colour rivals fine emerald and whose dispersion (the "fire" effect) exceeds diamond. Russian Ural Mountains demantoid — discovered in 1868 and prized through the Fabergé era — remains the historical reference for the variety. The signature horsetail-shaped chrysotile inclusion is unique to Russian deposits and serves as a positive origin indicator on the lab letter. Russian demantoid is a thin-supply category at Skyjems — please enquire with the curator for current selection.

Why Russian demantoid commands the premium

(1) Pedigree — the Tsarist-era discovery and Fabergé association anchor the variety historically. (2) The horsetail inclusion — chrysotile asbestos fibres radiating from a central chromite crystal — is the diagnostic origin marker accepted by all major labs. (3) Supply scarcity — modern Russian production is limited and the variety has never reached industrial scale.

Madagascar and Namibia as alternatives

Demantoid from Madagascar and Namibia entered the market in the 1990s–2000s at larger sizes and lower prices than Russian. Both alternative origins lack the horsetail inclusion and trade at a discount to Russian. Skyjems carries demantoid across origins where available; current Russian SKUs are limited.

Five-step evaluation

(1) Lab confirms variety = andradite (demantoid), origin = Russia, untreated; (2) horsetail inclusion visible under magnification (the diagnostic origin marker); (3) colour reads vivid green to slightly yellowish green with strong dispersion; (4) clarity is eye-clean at the table; (5) carat weight matches the lab — Russian demantoid above 3 carats is rare.

Skyjems inventory snapshot

Russian demantoid is a thin-supply rotating category. Browse /collections/garnet for current selection.

Private viewings and bespoke

Contact Skyjems at +1-416-366-3335 or request a private viewing.