The oranges of autumn leaves, the glowing red coals of a winter fire, the sparkling green of a summer field, and the beautiful pinks of spring flowers, garnet is a gemstone for all seasons. garnets are a closely related group of gemstones that are available in every color but blue. Dark reds, tangerine orange, vivid lime green, soft bluish-pink, garnet is all these colors and more. There are garnets that change color in different light, translucent green garnets that look like jade, garnets with stars, garnets that have been mined for thousands of years and garnets that were just discovered in the last decade.

Origins of Garnet:

The name garnet probably comes from pomegranate. Many ancient pieces of garnet jewelry are studded with tiny red stones that do look a lot like a cluster of pomegranate seeds! Jewelry set with garnets from Czechoslovakia was extremely popular in the nineteenth century and Bohemian garnet jewelry is still popular today, although today the garnets are mined elsewhere. When you say garnet, most people think automatically of small dark red gemstones, even though this is only one corner of the world of garnets. In the mid-20^th century many other, more attractive garnets have become available. Today garnet is the most reasonably priced red gemstone available.

Mythology & Lore:

In ancient Asia and the American Southwest, garnets were used as bullets because the glowing red color was said to increase the ferocity of a wound. Others ground them into powder and used them to stop bleeding and to treat fever and jaundice. "Garnet" stands for faith, constancy, and true friendship! An engraved lion upon a garnet is said to protect the wearer's health, bring him honors, and guard him from perils in traveling. The Persians considered garnet a royal stone. Garnets in legend light up the night and protect their owners from nightmares. Noah used a garnet lantern to navigate the Ark at night. The ancient world is full of praise for the carbuncle, the glowing red coal of a gemstone we now known as garnet.

Varieties:

Garnets are found in every color of the rainbow except blue. Garnet is actually a group of six species with similar composition.

• Rhodolite: The popular Rhodolite, from the pyrope variety, tends to have less brown and more violet and pink color. Generally, the more purplish-pink and less brown a garnet, the higher the price. which ranges from pink to purplish red in color and is mined in Africa, India, and Sri Lanka.
• Pyrope: Pyrope garnet is generally more pure red than other garnets and can be confused with a ruby, due to its' fiery red color. The name pyrope is derived from "pyropos" meaning fire-like or fiery-eyed. In the trade, pyrope may be referred to as Bohemian garnet, from its historical source Czechoslovakia.
  • Anthill Garnet: A very special Sub variety of Pyrope garnet is the beautiful small pyrope garnets found in Arizona which are called anthill garnets because they are mined by ants, who carry them up when they are excavating their anthills.
• Spessartite: Spessartite must have some orange color. Its color may range from a yellowish-orange to a reddish-orange. Limited quantities are available, although very unfamiliar to most.
• Hessonite: Known in the trade as a cinnamon garnet. They are a medium to dark yellowish orange to reddish orange. It mainly comes from Sri Lanka.
• Tsavorite: Tsavorite is colored by vanadium with traces of chromium, and ranges from an intense green to yellowish green color. It became commercially available in the 1970's. It's major source is Kenya and Tanzania. It is considered very rare and if it is a good strong lively color, it will be in the top price bracket for colored gems, especially if weighing over a few carats.

Specifications:

• Color: All colors, except blue
• Transparency: Transparent to opaque
• Refractive Index: 1.790(+/-.030)
• Specific Gravity: 4.05(+.25, -.12)
• Florescence: All varieties are inert
• Hardness: 7-7.50
• Toughness: Fair to Good
• Principle Sources: Africa, Sri-Lanka, Burma, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, USA

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Last modified: November 20, 2009