Gem-quality spessartine is uncommon. It is bright orange when pure, but an increase in the iron content makes the stone darker orange to red. Inclusions are lace or feather like.

Spessartine occurs in granites pegmatite and alluvial deposits. It is found in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Brazil. Sweden. Australia, Burma, and the USA: also Germany and Italy but crystals there are too small to facet. USA.

Spessartine is named after the Spectra district of Bavaria, Germany. It can be confused with hessonite garnet or yellow topaz. But on close examination of inclusions it is distinguishable.