Umbalite Garnets are the exceptional pink to pinkish-purple Garnets named after the Umba Valley in Tanzania.

Umbalite is a relative of Rhodolite and Malaya Garnets. It is usually a mix of Pyrope, Almandine, Spessartine and occasionally Grossular Garnets. Almost all gem-quality garnets are a mix of two or more species.

The Umba Valley is a treasure trove of gems. Many different varieties of Garnets are found there including Malaya, Tsavorite, Grossular, Red, Rhodolite and the rare Color Change Garnets.

Other gems found in the Umba Valley include Fancy Sapphires, Rubies, Chrome and Dravite Tourmalines, and Red, Pink, Peach, Yellow and Champagne Zircons.

Garnets are part of a large family of silicate minerals that have similar physical properties but vary in chemical composition.

The name ‘Garnet’ derives from the Latin word for seed, possibly associated with the fruit Pomegranate whose seed covers resemble some Garnets.

Pure Garnet would be colorless; it is the trace elements that give garnets their colors.

For example, iron and chromium create reds and greens; chromium and vanadium create greens, and manganese creates pinks and oranges.

Garnet is the birthstone for January, celebrates the 2nd Anniversary and comes in almost all colors of the spectrum including the rare color-change material.

Lots of choice for January birthdays!

We have many more shapes and sizes available in Umbalite – please contact us if you don’t find what you are looking for in our online inventory.