While I was up in Sendai for our mineral show I met a dealer there named Joji. A tall, stylish Japanese mineral dealer who specialized in Andradite Rainbow Garnets. He specializes in them because he is the one who discovered and mined 5 meters of the vein in Tenkawa, Nara, Japan.
The rainbow garnets he had were pretty amazing with strong iridescence and many were even cut and polished gem grade specimens which are extremely rare. This little cluster has serious luster and will grab you eye just as much as any gem would.
Joji found the deposit he was only able to mine it for 1 year in 2004-2005. The city decided to restrict the area and since 2005 no one has been able to mine any more of the garnets. I'm super lucky to have met Joji as now I have a connection to these beautiful stones.
