gems, garnet, almandine, analytical, provenance, Bohemia, Czech Republic

The literature on commercially exploited garnet deposits in Bohemia from the 16th century onwards has been sparse, but in 18th century it became more extensive, especially from around 1770 onwards. This literature up to the period after the First World War is reviewed. Important recent literature on the genesis of the deposits and on garnet mining in the last decades is also discussed. Gem-quality garnets in Bohemia are mainly chromium-bearing pyropes and, to a lesser extent, almandines, with the most significant deposits located in the area around Leitmeritz (Litoměřice) in the Aussig region of the Czech Republic. Other notable garnet deposits exist in north-eastern Bohemia around Reichenberg and Königgrätz, as well as in an area where the regions Central Bohemia and Highlands (Vysočina) meet. Detailed descriptions of garnet extraction are available for the most important deposits near Litoměřice. The development of a garnet faceting industry in Bohemia since the time of the reign of Emperor Rudolf II. (around 1600) is also presented.