May 5, 2014
Cinco de Malaya   

Malaya garnets are found in East Africa, mainly in the Umba River Valley bordering Tanzania, and in Kenya. Roger often returns to the States after an African trip with a selection of Malaya Garnet rough. The gems below were all faceted from rough Roger bought this past January.  

 

 

 

Malaya garnets occur in a variety of pink, orange, and red range hues. Malaya, sometimes spelled Malaia, refers to stones rejected by gem dealers because they didn't match the commonly accepted color of garnets in the Almandine, Rhodolite, and Spessartite families. The rejected gems were given the term Malaya because it means outcast in Swahili. Check out these outcasts!

 

 

 

 

Many Malaya garnets have inclusions that appear needle-like when viewed under a microscope. These inclusions don't detract from the beauty of the gemstone, but rather the inclusions add an interior sparkle.

 

 

 

  

Enjoy Cinco de Malaya Monday!

 

 
Roger and Ginger Dery
Spectral Gems

Roger Dery Gem Design 

248-545-3546   

 

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