This remarkable freeform faceted rainbow garnet originates from the famed Tenkawa Village in Nara Prefecture, Japan—an area celebrated for producing some of the world’s most vividly iridescent andradite garnets. Weighing 14.6 carats and measuring 18.7 mm x 12.24 mm x 5.5 mm, this gem represents one of the largest and finest examples known from the locality. Recently re-cut to refine its shape and improve both symmetry and color play, this piece now shows the full potential of the material in a large, collector-grade form.
The artistic, low-angle faceting style enhances the gemstone’s dazzling display of lamellar diffraction. Vivid flashes of peach, lilac, gold, and orange emerge with intensity as the stone is moved through the light, with each surface reflecting a distinct and dynamic spectrum. The result is a visually immersive effect that elevates the natural geometry and optical uniqueness of the garnet itself.
Larger crystals of iridescent garnet from Tenkawa are increasingly rare in the market, especially those that can be faceted cleanly and artistically. This piece not only exemplifies the exceptional color phenomena from this historic Japanese locality but also serves as a finely crafted talisman—uniting natural mineralogy with the transformative power of human artistry.
