A strand of approximately 38 cm of tiny faceted almondine garnet rondelles, in a deep wine red that brightens with pomegranate reflections in the light. Their very small size creates a fine, tightly packed strand, almost a stone chain.

Features:

• Stone: natural almondine garnet
• Shape: faceted rondelle
• Size: approximately 2 mm in diameter
• Thickness: approximately 1 mm
• Hole: approximately 0.5 mm
• Strand length: approximately 38 cm
• Quantity: approximately 255 beads per strand
• Color: deep red

These micro-beads are ideal for very fine necklaces, layered bracelets, rosary chains, delicate earrings and bead embroidery. Fine 0.5 mm hole: plan on a suitable thread or needle, for example 0.3 mm nylon thread, fine wire or a bead needle.

A bit of gemology: almondine is an iron and aluminum garnet, Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃, from the pyralspite series. It crystallizes in the cubic system, has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale and a high density, around 4.1, which gives the beads a noticeable weight in the hand. Its color, from dark red to purplish red, is due to the ferrous iron present in its structure: it is natural, as almondine is untreated. The word “garnet” comes from the Latin granatum, the pomegranate, whose seeds resemble the crystals; “almondine” derives from Alabanda, a city in Asia Minor where the stone was cut in antiquity. The main deposits are in India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Brazil.

In lithotherapy: almondine garnet is associated with the root and sacral chakras. It is believed to bring energy, courage and self-confidence; it is a stone traditionally given as a token of fidelity.

100% natural product: the size, shape, color and number of beads may vary slightly from one strand to another. Dimensions and quantities are given for guidance only.