This extraordinary 11.16 ct freestyle-faceted rainbow garnet from Tenkawa Village in Nara Prefecture, Japan, represents a rare convergence of natural beauty and lapidary artistry. Uniquely faceted in an expressive, asymmetrical style, this piece preserves the natural crystal faces of the garnet, while artistically enhancing its inherent optical phenomena. The majority of the surfaces shimmer with vivid metallic lamellar diffraction, revealing rich hues of peach, lilac, orange, and purple that shift with movement and light.

Unlike traditional faceted gems, this piece was intentionally cut to honor the geometry and energy of the original crystal—each face positioned to amplify the spectral fire already encoded within the stone. The result is a sculptural, jewel-like form that blurs the line between specimen and art object.

Rainbow garnets from Nara are among the rarest and most visually distinct garnets in the world, known for their vibrant lamellar iridescence caused by thin-film interference within their internal structure. The Tenkawa Village locality is especially prized by collectors for producing the most consistent and saturated examples of this phenomenon, although crystals large enough to facet—especially over 10 carats—are exceedingly scarce. The material is geologically constrained and production is highly limited due to both local regulation and the sensitive alpine environment of the deposit.

This stone is not just a gem—it is a living reflection of a vanishing geological miracle, elevated through personal craftsmanship. A true collector’s piece, it bridges ancient elemental formation with modern creative expression, and stands as a museum-worthy example of iridescent andradite garnet at its finest.