The name ‘garnet’ comes from the Latin ‘granatum’ meaning pomegranate, due to how the crystal resembles the seeds of this delicious fruit.
It was said that the jewel possessed the ability to illuminate even the darkest of rooms, and it is written that Noah used the gem to light the inside of the ark.
A legendary stone favoured by royalty, garnet has been found in amulets worn by pharaohs as well as in signet rings owned by the nobility in Rome. This beautiful red crystal is thought to be one of the oldest gems used for spiritual protection throughout history. Since it has been discovered in all parts of the world, it has a rich history that spans the globe.
TYPES OF GARNET
Garnet is not a separate gemstone but a group of silicate minerals with similar components and structure. They are found in metamorphic rocks. Out of the 20 species of garnet, only 5 are commercially important- pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular, andradite and uvarovite. Each species has its unique colour, which is the most attractive feature of this commonly found gemstone.
It is worth noting that the various natural hues of garnet are a result of different chemical elements. Most red and brown garnets would have come into contact with iron as they were forming, while pink and orange stones are likely to contain manganese. Green garnet is due to the presence of aluminium, chromium or vanadium. Yellow garnets have calcium. Since the red garnet is the most abundant variety, it was only thought to be a red gemstone for so many thousands of years. This is because iron is so much more common in the earth than the other elements. Rhodolite, Tsavorite, Hessonite and Demantoid are some of the varieties of garnet.
TREATMENTS
Another important attribute about the garnet is that its colour is always natural (except for the demantoid garnet whose colour may be partially enhanced with heat treatment). Since the stone comes in a rainbow of colours, scientists are yet to find a way to enhance the colours of this gemstone.
CARING FOR YOUR GARNET
The best way to clean a garnet is using warm soapy water. Add a little mild detergent (such as washing up liquid) to a bowl of warm water and then use a soft cloth to gently clean the gemstone. Always try to clean the underside of the gem too as dirt can cause it to appear dull.
Avoid using an ultrasonic cleaner for your garnet, especially if it has a fracture. Fractures are not always visible to the naked eye; hence, it is better to be cautious. Keep your garnet pieces in a soft pouch or box to stop them scratching or being scratched by other gems. Remove your jewellery before using any household chemicals.
FUN FACTS
- The most expensive garnet is the demantoid, a brilliant green variety that resembles the emerald and exceeds the diamond in its dispersion. It is found in the Ural Mountains.
- Although a garnet comes in many colours, the rarest variety is blue, which was discovered in the late 1990’s in Bekily, Madagascar.
- Garnet is the birthstone for January and is associated with the zodiac sign of Capricorn.
- It is also the stone to celebrate the second and eighteenth anniversary of marriage and a gift stone for the 15th, 19th and 25th celebrations.
- Long before laboratory gem testing existed, garnet and ruby were often mistaken for each other. In fact, in Australia this gemstone was initially mistaken for a ruby when it was first found which led to the rise of 20 ruby companies. These companies collapsed when the identity of the gemstone was established.
From the ancient Egyptian civilization to the present day, garnet is seen as the ultimate symbol of love, passion, eternity and warmth.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the name garnet come from and what is its history?
The name garnet originates from the Latin word ’granatum’, which means pomegranate. This is because the crystal’s appearance strongly resembles the seeds of the fruit. Historically, it is one of the oldest gemstones used for spiritual protection and has been found across the globe. Legend says the gem could illuminate dark rooms, and it is even written that Noah used a garnet to light the inside of his ark.
This legendary stone has long been favoured by royalty and nobility throughout history. Archaeologists have discovered garnets in amulets worn by Egyptian pharaohs, as well as in ancient Roman signet rings. Today, from ancient civilizations to modern times, the garnet remains a powerful symbol of warmth, passion, love, and eternity.
What are the different types of garnet and what causes their colours?
Garnet is not a single gemstone but a group of silicate minerals found in metamorphic rocks. Out of twenty species, only five are commercially important: pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular, andradite, and uvarovite. The different natural colours of these species are caused by various chemical elements present during their formation. Red and brown garnets are formed with iron, which is the most abundant element, leading people to believe for centuries that garnets only came in red.
Other colours are created by different elements in the earth. Pink and orange stones contain manganese, while green varieties are coloured by aluminium, chromium, or vanadium. Yellow garnets contain calcium. Famous specific varieties of the gemstone include Rhodolite, Tsavorite, Hessonite, and Demantoid.
Are garnets treated to enhance their colour?
Garnet gemstones almost always feature completely natural colours. Because the stone naturally occurs in a beautiful rainbow of hues, scientists have not yet found a way to artificially enhance or change the colours of this gemstone. This makes garnet highly desirable for those who appreciate completely natural, untreated stones straight from the earth.
There is only one minor exception to this rule. The demantoid garnet, which is a brilliant green variety, may sometimes have its colour partially enhanced using professional heat treatments. Aside from this specific green variety, you can be confident that the vibrant hue of any garnet jewellery piece you own is exactly as nature intended.
How should I clean and care for my garnet jewellery?
The best way to clean your garnet jewellery is by using warm soapy water. Simply add a small amount of mild detergent, such as washing-up liquid, to a bowl of warm water. Use a soft cloth to gently wipe the gemstone clean, making sure to clean the underside of the gem too, as trapped dirt there can make the stone look dull.
You must avoid using ultrasonic cleaners on garnets. This is because the gemstone can have internal fractures that are invisible to the naked eye, and the ultrasonic vibrations could damage the stone. Always remove your jewellery before using household chemicals. Finally, store your garnets in a soft pouch or dedicated box to protect them from scratching or being scratched by other items.
Which garnet variety is the most expensive and what is the rarest?
The most expensive variety of garnet is the demantoid. This is a brilliant green gemstone found in the Ural Mountains that closely resembles an emerald and actually exceeds a diamond in its dispersion. While garnets come in many beautiful colours, the rarest variety of all is the blue garnet, which was only discovered in the late 1990s in Bekily, Madagascar.
Garnets have many traditional associations and make excellent gifts. The gemstone is the official birthstone for January and is linked to the Capricorn star sign. It is also the traditional stone used to celebrate second and eighteenth wedding anniversaries, and is a popular gift stone for fifteenth, nineteenth, and twenty-fifth milestone celebrations.
