Happy Birthday, Garnet!
Do you associate garnet with a deep red colour?
I am delighted to share that the garnet colour ranges from red to green, orange to purple shades.
If you had the choice, would you go for a rich, deep red garnet or perhaps a wonderful purplish red variety for a custom-made piece?
A gentle yellowish green with unique inclusions or a vibrant orange?
Let's take a closer look at these colourful gemst to help you decide!
Let's begin with some fun facts:
The word garnet comes from the medieval Latin "granatus", meaning “pomegranate”
Red garnets are the most abundant type of garnets available
In the 1500s, garnets were discovered in central Europe (now, the Czech Republic) and were known as Bohemian garnets
Most garnets are transparent, show a strong colour and do not have many inclusions
In ancient Rome, signet rings with carved garnets were used to stamp documents
Unlike other gemstones, garnets are rarely treated and are not produced synthetically i.e. are not created in a lab
Rarity of each type of garnet has a direct impact on its value
According to the GIA (Gemological Institute of America):
“There are more than 20 garnet species and only 5 of them are considered commercially important as gems”.
As these 5 species are further subdivided into several varieties, the gemmology behind garnets becomes overwhelming.
Honestly, it is easier to think of garnets in terms of their colours:
Red
Purple
Orange
Green
Red Garnets
Pyrope-Almandite is the name given to most of the red garnets on the market today.
They range in colour from brownish orange to rich brownish red and are readily available in all sorts of shapes and sizes.
With such a great variety to choose from, you can find a red garnet for any occasion!
Fancy a heart shape? This pair of heart shape garnets was used for earrings, which turned out beautifully.
Having spent a lot of time in Prague, Czech Republic, I saw hundreds of jewellery stores that sell these deep red gemstones, although most of them come from neighbouring Poland.
True Bohemian or Czech garnets are tiny pyrope garnets that are often pavé set (below).
Other deposits are located in Thailand, Brazil, Tanzania and Mozambique.
Purple Garnets
Rhodolite ranges in colour from dark purplish red to lovely raspberry shades.
It is plentiful, readily available and fairly inexpensive, although typically slightly more expensive than red garnets.
First discovered in North Carolina, USA in the 1880s, this source was depleted by early 1900s. Since then, Tanzania, Madagascar and Sri Lanka have become the main sources of rhodolite garnets.
Orange Garnets
Spessartite (also known as spessartine) is the most popular orange garnet and ranges in colour from yellowish orange to dark brownish red.
It was named after Spessart district of Bavaria, Germany where it was first discovered.
Spessartite started off as a collector’s stone but has become widely available since new deposits were discovered in Nigeria, Brazil and Sri Lanka.
Green Garnets
Demantoid garnet is a yellowish green variety that was first discovered in 1850s in Russia’s Ural Mountains (which happens to be where I am originally from).
They became popular with the Russian nobility and Tsar Nicholas II, who commissioned it for his wife’s jewellery, made by famous designers like Fabergé.
Even George Kunz, Tiffany & Co.’s chief gem buyer fell in love with this unique stone and bought all he could get.
The Russian deposit has mostly been depleted and production consists of small sizes and very limited availability. Other deposits have been found in Namibia, Iran and Mexico.
Take a look at these "horsetail inclusions" - long, fiber-like wisps (above).
They are one-of-a-kind and help us identify the stone as a demantoid garnet. Not all demantoid garnets have these inclusions but they are highly desirable by customers and collectors.
Demantoid garnets are rare and difficult to source in sizes over half-a-carat.
Tiny demantoid garnets also became a staple in Victorian and Edwardian jewellery.
Do you know what jewellery era you are from?
Check out this post to find out!
Tsavorite is another example of a green garnet.
It is a vibrant green gem that was discovered in Tanzania in the1960s and was originally known as grossularite. It was later re-named after Tsavo National Park, located near a deposit in Kenya. Tiffany & Co. began to sell it as Tsavorite in 1974.
This bright green gemstone is the most expensive member of the garnet family and can rival a deep green colour of fine emeralds.
Tsavorite is very rare and difficult to source in sizes over 2 carat.
This tsavorite below is exceptional!
Want to learn more about what goes on inside a gemstone?
Check out my previous post: Let’s get some clarity on gemstone inclusions
January Birthstone
Garnet is also know for the following traits:
a “stone of health”
extracts negative energy
brings passion and strength
excellent tool for increasing creativity
Do you know what powers your birthstone holds?
Visit my previous post What is my Birthstone? to find out!
Durability
In terms of hardness, garnets range between 6.5 - 7.5 on Moh's scale.
With sapphires and rubies at 9 and diamonds at 10, these can scratch your garnet if not stored properly or if they rub against each other.
Although I would not recommend garnets for engagement rings, they make a great and affordable option for large cocktail rings and other jewellery such as pendants and earrings.
Pro Tip: don't shy away from adding these unique gemstones to your collection, just be careful while wearing them.
Looking for tips on how to keep you jewellery Clean and Damage-Free?
Get my FREE jewellery cleaning guide here
Is Garnet on your wishlist?
I would be delighted to hear about it!
To discuss your options, schedule a complementary, 30 minute connection call with me here
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