The New Year is practically here and wishes of happiness, good health and prosperity are in the air. If someone special in your life has a birthday next month, now is the perfect time to give the gift of garnet! This beautiful gemstone is known to represent these very qualities. Plus, its rich color is a stunning contrast against a blanket of white snow. Learn more about the January birthstone!
What is Garnet?
Garnet is composed of similar minerals that produce a range of colored stones. The color differences are a result of variations in each garnet’s chemical makeup. While red is the most common garnet, you can find a rainbow of shades, from yellow and orange to green and purple.
If you research garnets, you’ll likely come across a slew of terms for categorizing the gems. To put it simply, they’re classified in groups, species and varieties. “Group” refers to all of the similar minerals that form garnets, while “varieties” refer to each type of garnet.
But the most common terms you’ll see are names of garnet species: pyrope, almandine (aka almandite), spessartine (aka spessarite), grossular and andradite. Each species represents different color ranges. Here’s a breakdown to help you remember.
Pyrope: Purple to red
Almandine: Purple to red
Spessartine: Orange to yellow
Grossular: Colorless to
yellow/reddish orange to green
Andradite: Yellow to green
Garnets are typically available in standard shapes and sizes, but green and blue stones are rare. Therefore, they’re more expensive in larger sizes. If you’re lucky, you might be able to get your hands on a special kind of garnet that’s similar to the rare gem alexandrite — it changes from blue to purple, depending on lighting!
Image courtesy of GIA.edu
History of Garnet
The name “garnet” actually comes from a medieval Latin word that means “pomegranate,” which perfectly connects to the most popular shade of garnet. But this stone existed long before the Middle Ages. Some of the earliest records of garnets date back to ancient Egypt, when the gem was considered the symbol of life and pharaohs wore red garnet necklaces. These stones were even placed in mummies’ tombs to accompany spirits to the afterlife.
In ancient Rome, garnets were a common feature of signet rings, which imprinted the wax seal on important documents. Several centuries later, red garnet became a popular trading item. And by the Middle Ages, the clergy and other elite members of society desired red garnets.
Around 1500, deposits of red garnet were discovered in Bohemia. This increased the availability of the red gem, which can be found in metamorphic rock (aka rock that has been transformed by heat and pressure), and Bohemia became its primary source during the late 1800s.
Today, garnets can be found across the globe, from the Czech Republic, Greece and Russia to Sri Lanka, India and the U.S., particularly Wyoming. But roughly 80% of the world’s garnet supply is unearthed by small-scale miners in Africa. For example, Tanzania and Namibia are known to produce orange and yellow garnets, while Kenya and Madagascar are important sources of green garnets.
Fun Garnet Facts
Garnet is the official stone for
celebrating a second wedding anniversary!
According to legend, garnet
symbolizes a variety of qualities, including happiness, wealth, good health,
friendship, self-confidence, warmth and strength. Some people have even
referred to it as the “Gem of Faith,” meaning good would come your way if you
committed good deeds while wearing garnet. However, some believed you would
also experience misfortune if you caused trouble while wearing the stone.
All garnets range between 6.5 and
7.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, a scale that ranks
the durability of diamonds, gemstones and other minerals. Although garnets are
fairly durable gems, they can be scratched by harder stones, such as diamonds,
rubies and sapphires. Therefore, they’re great options for earrings, brooches
and pendants that experience less wear and tear!
During the 1800s, Russia’s royal family treasured
green garnets from the Ural Mountains. These jewels were then fashioned into
jewelry by famous Russian jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé.
A red garnet bead necklace that was discovered in an
Egyptian tomb dates back to 3800 BCE – more than 5,000 years ago!
Before garnet got its name, the word “carbuncle” was
used multiple times in the Bible to refer to various red gems, including
garnet.
Garnets were reportedly referenced in the story of
Noah’s Ark! As the legend goes, Noah hung garnets instead of lanterns as a
light source for the ark. He believed the stones’ “inner fire” would provide a
glow, and the ark stayed lit throughout the journey!
High quality demantoids, a rare, green variety of
garnet, often show fantastic flashes of color. This happens when white light
enters the garnet, disperses into separate wavelengths of color and exits the
stone.
Gemologist Campbell Bridges, who was killed in Africa over mining a
region’s gems, was responsible for discovering tsavorite, another rare, bright
green variety of garnet.
One of the most famous pieces of garnet jewelry, a
red garnet hair comb, is featured in the National Gem Collection at the
Smithsonian Institution. This piece, which resembles a crown, was crafted in
the late 1800s and is adorned with various sizes of garnets, including a large
rose-cut stone near the top of the comb. Each jewel was mined in Bohemia, a
primary source of the red gem at the time.
Shop Our Favorite Garnet Jewelry
Caterina Heart-Shaped Garnet Promise Ring
Charlotte Round Garnet Stud Earrings
Sienna Garnet Bezel Pendant Necklace
Hazel Round Garnet & Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
Have a question? We can help!
Gage Diamonds is Chicago's premier jewelry showroom and online retailer of engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry. We offer a selection of gorgeous garnet jewelry.
We’re committed to helping you find the ring of your dreams. For inspiration, browse our website or set up an appointment with a member of our trusted staff at our in-person showroom.
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