Spessartine garnet in matrix, cut by Gary WilsonSpessartine Half Moon Necklace
The word "garnet" can refer to any of a number of stones. There are six main types of garnet: pyrope, almandine, spessartine, uvarovite, grossular and andradite. Spessartine generally forms in rhyolite pockets, pegmatites and in metamorphic rocks with manganese. Dr. Pough mentions that in Colorado and Utah locations it occurs in a light-colored rhyolitic lava flow, this is what we may have in this beautiful centerpiece. I will leave it up to you to decide whether any of the crystals shows faces of the dodecahedron or the trapezohedron. The needlewoven neckpiece is encrusted with pearls, more spessartine garnets, bits of pyrite and seed beads.
As far as I'm concerned, Gary Wilson understands the essence of bead, and this centerpiece is an example. While perfect, machine-cut beads are very useful, they're missing something that this centerpiece has, namely a unique personality. Had one of our early ancestors picked up this little rock, s/he might well have figured out a way to wear it, perhaps by drilling it or wrapping it. Gary is similarly sensitive to the beauty of nature's gifts and left this little stone alone -- he smoothed the back and sides for comfort but left the top in its natural state, giving us the opportunity to dream about the lives of the pretty crystals and appreciate our Mother Earth. Won't you order it today and contemplate her wonders?
