Gorgeous Garnets
A Rainbow of Colors
Photo: GIA
Garnets are closely related minerals that form a group, resulting in gemstones that represent almost every color of the spectrum. All garnets have essentially the same crystal structure, but vary in chemical composition resulting in the assortment of colors. For example the high levels of vanadium can result in the rare color shifting blue garnets. On occasion, bicolor garnets are formed from the chemical mixtures of two or more garnet species.
Gemologists have more than twenty garnet categories, only five of which are the most commonly seen gems:
Pyrope: described as "living fire." Ranges in color from rose red to deep crimson, including shades of scarlet, violet, and even indigo.
Almandine (almandite): mixture of scarlet and red with the more muted, earthy overtones of brown.
Spessartine: one of the rarer varieties, known as the "Garnet of the Sun". Ranges in shades of dark gold, orange, scarlet and deep red. Crystals can be pale yellow if nearly pure, but are almost always mixed with Almandine Garnet.
Grossular (grossularite): ranges in sunrise colors of yellow, gold, orange, scarlet and red, and the more popular shades of lush green.
Tsavorite is a vivid green variety of grossular garnet, and is one of the most popular and expensive varieties of garnet.
Andradite: well-grounded in Earth's elemental colors of green or olive, dark yellow, and black.
Demantoid is a rare and famous green garnet within this group.
A sixth, uvarovite, is a green garnet that usually occurs as crystals too small to cut. It’s sometimes set as clusters in jewelry.
Where is garnet found?
Garnets come from many different regions and countries. Bohemia was the primary source of the red pyrope garnets, popular during Victorian times. In 19th century Russia, green demantoid garnets were prized by the Russian royal family and used by the great jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé (1846–1920). Today, Africa supplies much of the world’s garnet. Namibia produces demantoids, and most of the bright green tsavorites come from Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar. Namibia and Tanzania are also key sources of the rich orange-to-yellow spessartine garnets. The January birthstone can also be found in Myanmar, Brazil, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, among other countries.
Demantoid Garnet Seahorse by Fabergé
Metaphysical Aspects/Qualities
- Balances energy, bringing serenity or passion as appropriate.
- Considered a lucky stone, for love, success, and for business relationships.
- Helps with motivation and is known as the stone for a successful business, and makes a wonderful executive gem, particularly for women.
- Helps you let go of old behavior patterns and boosts self-confidence. In addition, garnets foster passion and courage.
BEAUTIFUL GARNETS
The Antique Pyrope Hair Comb: This antique hair comb hails from the Victorian Era, set with Bohemian pyrope garnets from the Czech Republic. Each of the pyrope garnets are rose cut. -Smithsonian Institute
Victorian Garnet Ring. -Lang Antiques
This brooch dates from the third quarter of the 19th century. -The National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library
Wearing Garnet
Garnet continues as a popular gemstone today. The different types of garnet range between 6.5 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This means it is more susceptible to damage than rubies, sapphires and diamonds. So while not all garnets are good candidates for daily wear (some have industrial uses), they are ideal for earrings, brooches and pendants.
Cleaning: The use of a soft brush with warm soapy water is always safe for cleaning garnets. Ultrasonic cleaners are usually safe, except for stones that have fractures or have been fracture filled, which is very rare, as most garnets are untreated! Steam cleaning is not recommended.
With so many colors to choose from, celebrate a January birthday or second anniversary with a gorgeous garnet!!
Sources: GIA, Crystal Vaults, Geology.com