The word “garnet” comes from the Latin word granatum which means “seedlike.” Why? Because when garnet was first discovered, garnet crystals reminded many of pomegranate seeds. (The Old French word grenat, which means “pomegranate-colored” is also considered a source word.) Garnet is the umbrella term used to describe a number of different color, transparent gemstones made of silicate material and occuring in all colors except blue. The red varieties of garnet are most commonly used as the January birthstone (although any form of garnet can be worn as the birthstone); rhodolite garnet is used as the commemorative gemstone for the 2nd wedding anniversary; tsavorite garnet (green) is often used for the 12th wedding anniversary.
•Where is garnet found?
Garnet occurs in many places on earth (rumor has it Noah used it on the ark to block bright light!), although some areas are more abundant in certain types and colors of the gemstone than others. Here is where several of the more popular varieties of garnet are mined:
- African: Several regions in Africa.
- Almandine/Almandite: This variety is found in metamorphic rocks all over the world, on all the continents.
- Brazilian Plum: Brazil; several other regions in South America.
- Hessonite: Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Brazil, Canada, Siberia; also in Maine, California, and New Hampshire in the United States.
- Mandarin (spessartite): Namibia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Brazil, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sweden, Australia, Madagascar; also, a bountiful source for superb Mandarin garnet is the Little Three Mine in California in the United States.
- • Rhodolite (pyrope): Rhodolite is found all over the world. Some bountiful sources include Arizona in the United States, South Africa (found, interestingly, in South Africa’s magnificent diamond mines) Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Myanmar, Scotland, Switzerland, and Tanzania.
- Tsavorite (grossular): Kenya (the stone is named after Kenya’s Tsavo National Park), Tanzania, Canada, Sri Lanka, Russia, Hungary, Italy, the United States.
•Color
The most favored varieties of garnet include:
- African: red.
- Almandine (also referred to as Almandite): red; brownish-red; orange, purple.
- Brazilian Plum: reddish-purple.
- Hessonite: orange; yellow; red; colorless.
- Mandarin: Fiery red-orange; yellowish-orange; reddish-purple; purple; pink.
- Rhodolite: Purplish-red.
- Tsavorite: All the shades of green; yellowish-green.
•Shape
Garnet is cut into all the faceted gemstone shapes: round brilliant, oval, pear, marquise, emerald, heart, square, trillon, and fantasy. Garnet is also cut into rose cuts, cabochons, carved into cameos and figurines, and fashioned into beads of varying shapes.
•Durability
Garnet ranges in hardness on the Mohs Scale from a 6 1/2 to a 7 1/2 and is considered a moderately durable, but slightly brittle stone. It sets well but jewelers always exercise care when using a torch in close proximity to garnet (as in prong repairs, when the prong is on the garnet and needs to be soldered). Garnet does not handle boiling well, but can be steamed and soaked in an ultrasonic cleaner with little risk. Garnet can, however, chip or fracture if struck hard enough.
•Quality
Garnet is a plentiful, affordable gemstone and, thus, seriously flawed stones are rarely used in most jewelry. “Clean” stones are readily available, so most “quality” concerns regarding garnet focus on the depth, intensity, and uniformity of each stone’s body color. The deeper reds, oranges, greens, etc. are considered higher quality stones, and are unquestionably more appealing to the eye. The inclusions in Mandarin garnet, when they occur, are thin lines or feathers; inclusions in tsavorite are usually black specks.
•Legend and lore
Garnet is said to lighten sadness of the heart and encourage loyalty and devotion in the wearer. Garnet also has reputed medicinal properties, including the alleged ability to stop hemorrhaging and cure inflammatory diseases like arthritis. Garnet is, in general, a stone that can cure the wearer of his or her ills, both emotional and physical. Garnet can also stimulate productivity and the almandine variety of garnet can “cure” laziness and encourage purposeful focus in the wearer. Rhodolite garnets have the same “encouraging productivity” effects, but more for one’s career than their private life.
•Care
Garnet can be soaked in ammonia-based jewelry cleaner but should not be boiled. Rinse the piece well under warm to hot water and dry with a soft cloth. Store garnet away from direct sunlight and avoid wearing garnet rings when doing things like sports or gardening. Also, avoid drastic temperature changes for your garnet jewelry.
