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Rhodolite is a rose red variety of Pyrope. In fact the name means “rose like.” Technically it is a garnet and it is prized because specimens are almost always inclusion free. This means that this gemstone refract light very nicely no matter how it is cut. A single rodolite gem may flash many colors at once depending on how it is cut from a light pink raspberry to a dark plum. However in general rhodolite is considered to be much pinker in hue than the other types of garnets.

Rhodolite is also available in all kinds of juicy red colors from a light red to dark cherry red to a raspberry to dark violet pink. This makes it a favorite stone for jewelers who like to design romantic pieces that contain affordable gemstones. It is also quite a hard stone with a scale of hardness on the MOH scale of 7. Like spinels, rhodolites do a great impersonation of a ruby.

Rhodolites can also be purchased cheaply in lots and the chips make very unique pave rings, bracelets and pendants. They also look good as round or cushion cut studs or cut in a unique triangular shape as a pendant. It is also one of those gemstones that looks great both in silver or pink metals.

Garnets in general have always been associated with the heart, both in a physical and literary sense. Wearing a garnet is thought to strengthen the heart and improve the circulatory system. Spiritually it connects you to your soul mate, ensures fidelity and is also a stone of courage. Oddly, ancient Asiatic tribes used to make bullets out of garnets as they were thought to be more deadly than those made out of metal.
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