Gem Quiz

I Am the Ugly Duckling of the Garnet Family

Most people look at me and think jadeite, but I’m harder and more politically correct.

Published

4 months ago

January 10, 2024

INSTORE Staff

I Am the Ugly Duckling of the Garnet Family

I DIFFER FROM MOST garnets in that I am almost never faceted and most casual observers would swear that given my fabulous hue, translucency, and toughness I am from a far distant gemological family: jadeite. Indeed, shortly after I was discovered on a South African farm in the 1930s, I quickly acquired the misnomer “Transvaal jade.” Use that name today and you’re likely to run into legal trouble. But that shouldn’t dissuade you from suggesting me as a substitute for Myanmar’s finest green rock. Politically and environmentally, I make a much better choice as well.

Who am I?

She Wanted to Spend More Time with Her Kids. She Called Wilkerson.

Your children are precious. More precious than gold? Absolutely! Just ask Lesley Ann Davis, owner of Lesley Ann Jewels, an independent jewelry store that — until the end of 2023 — had quite a following in Houston, Texas. To spend more time with her four sons, all in high school, she decided to close her store. Luckily, she was familiar with Wilkerson and called them as soon as she knew she wanted to move on to bigger, better and more family-focused things. Was she happy with her decision? Yes, she was. Says Davis, “Any owner looking to make that life change, looking to retire, looking to close, looking for a pause in their career, I would recommend Wilkerson. Hands down!”