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What Is Garnet?
It is commonly thought that garnet is just one gemstone. However, garnet is the family name for a group of minerals with a similar crystal structure and slightly varying chemical compositions.
The five main garnet types used in jewelry are pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular, and andradite. Within these, there are also "varieties”—for example, the grossular species has varieties like hessonite and tsavorite.
Garnets are found in metamorphic rocks across the globe. They are typically composed of varying proportions of aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, and silicon. These elements determine the specific type of garnet and influence its color and properties.
Garnet Meaning
The name "garnet" is derived from the Latin word "granatus," meaning "seed," because the crystals resemble the seeds of a pomegranate. Ancient Egyptians used garnets as inlays in their jewelry and carvings. In the Middle Ages, garnet was believed to protect its wearer from nightmares and act as a powerful talisman against evil. Throughout history, garnet has symbolized light, faith, and truth and has been used in various cultures for its perceived protective and healing properties.
Garnet Color
Garnet gemstones are renowned for their wide range of colors. While red is the most common and well-known color, garnets can also be found in green, orange, yellow, purple, brown, blue, black, and even colorless. For example, pyrope garnets are typically red, while spessartine garnets can be orange to reddish-brown.
Garnet Properties
Mohs Hardness
6.5-7.5 depending on the variety
Mineral
Garnet group
Refractive Index
1.714-1.888
Garnet Price
The price of garnet stones can vary widely based on their type, color, size, origin, and quality. Generally, red garnets are more affordable, while rarer colors like green tsavorite or orange spessartine can be more expensive. High-quality garnets with excellent color and clarity can command higher prices, especially those that are well-cut and of significant size.
Garnet Origins
Garnets are commonly mined in many parts of the world, including Africa, India, Sri Lanka, and the United States. Specific types of garnet are associated with particular regions—for instance, rhodolite and tsavorite garnet is found in East Africa, while spessartine garnets are commonly sourced from Brazil, Madagascar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, and the USA.
Garnet Facts
- Garnets can exhibit the phenomenon of color change, similar to alexandrite, depending on the light source.
- Green garnets, such as demantoid and tsavorite, are among the rarest and most valuable.
- Garnet has been found on the surface of the moon and mars.
- Garnet is the anniversary gift for the second wedding anniversary.
- Garnet is the birthstone for January.
Garnet Cleaning & Care Tips
To keep your garnet gemstone looking its best, follow these cleaning and care tips:
- Clean garnet jewelry with warm, soapy water and a soft brush.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners as they can damage the stone.
- Never steam clean your garnet jewelry.
- Store garnet jewelry separately to avoid scratches from harder gemstones.
- Remove garnet jewelry before engaging in physical activities to prevent damage.
Garnet FAQ
What is the difference between a garnet and a ruby?
Pyrope garnets and ruby are both red gemstones, but they differ fundamentally in their chemical composition and characteristics. Garnet belongs to a group of silicate minerals with varieties such as almandine and grossular. Ruby is a variety of corundum composed of aluminum oxide with trace amounts of chromium, giving it its distinct red color.
How can you tell if a garnet is real?
To determine if a garnet is real, several methods are employed by gemologists and jewelers—including examining the color consistency and natural variations within the stone, testing for color change under different light sources, measuring the refractive index using a refractometer, inspecting the gem under a microscope for natural inclusions and growth patterns, and conducting UV light tests for fluorescence.
