The color ranges from lime green to emerald green to pure spectral green and is caused by high vanadium content. Rarely found better than eye clean, typical inclusions are straight or angular corrosion growth tubes, fingerprints, feathers, veils and graphite inclusions. Given the rarity, popularity, and sporadic supply of these stones, the overall trend in value since introduction has been up, up, up. Their rich green color is contributed by chromium and as a result they show a red reaction when viewed through a Chelsea filter. The finest specimens come from the Ural Mts.
Yellow andradite is considered a separate variety called topazolite.
Somewhat softer than other garnet species, some care is necessary in setting and wearing. Demantoids were historically important in high end Victorian jewelry but became unavailable for many years due to lack of production at the mine sources. In the US, Tiffany's, in particular, made extensive use of demantoid in the late 19th century. Small amounts of fine material have recently come on the market, raising hopes that we once again might see jewelry pieces designed around this spectacular gem. Horsetails which are primarily indicative of Russian origin, add strongly to value when they do not excessively obscure the clarity.