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Garnet

garnet

Gemstone Information

Its name Garnet comes from the Latin word “granatum” that means “dark red”, refering to the pomegranate seeds color, but stones from this mineral family can assume a vast variety of colors from dark red to orange, from pink to yellow, green and pink, and in some rare case blue.

It is a mineral group that can occurs in over twenty different varieties.

The main variety of Garnet faceted into gemstones and used in jewelry are: Pyrope (Rhodolite), Almandine, Spessartite, Grossularite (Hessonite, Tsavorite), Andradite (Demantoid), Uvarovite.

Almandine is the most common variety, but Pyrope is noted for its transparency and its pinkish red color is a great protagonist on the gem market.
Tsavorite is the green variety of Grossular Garnet, Spessartite is also defined Fanta orange color duo to its bright yellowish color. Demantoid is probably the most valuable variety of Garnet and usually show an interesting horsetail inclusions formation.

This kind of mineral contains often a large amount of iron and in some case manganese, has an hardness of 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs mineral hardness scale, present a vitreous luster and often has transparency and good eye clean clarity.

Click here to buy loose Tsavorite gemstones.

 

demantoid garnet natural gemstone

 

Garnet Healing Properties

This stone promote business life, compassion and self confidence. Associated with the first chackra, this mineral variety enhance blood circulation and heal blood disease.

Considered the January birthstone, it is associated to the Aquarius zodiac sign.

It is also considered a gemstone for travellers, the legend suppose that the Noah’s Ark had a garnet lantern to help navigate during the night.

 

Garnet Treatment

This is one of the few natural stone that nowadays don’t present any kind of treatment, on the market there are any treated gemstones.

Any kind of treatment are applied to enhance the gemstone appearance. Always color and clarity of gemstone from this mineral family are natural, but sometimes some unscrupulous gems broker can sell synthetics gems for natural garnet.

Every time a common treatment was applied to a stone from this mineral family , like heating and irradiation, doesn’t provide any enhancement.

Click here to buy loose spessartite  gemstones

 

Origin and Gemstone Source

It comes from various sources like: Brazil, Africa, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, US, China, Europe, Australia, Russia.

 

Images and photos

Umbalite-garnet color-change-Garnet-cc Merelani-mint-Garnet

Purple-Garnet Mint-green-Garnet Tsavorite-garnet

Optical Effect

In some case they can show asterism optical effect with a four or six stars on the stone surface.

In some rare case this mineral gemstone variety can display a color change effect, color change Garnet exhibits a different color in natural and artificial light from a light yellow or greenish in daylight to a pink or orangish color in incandescent light or switch from a bright red in the daylight to a purplish pink under incandescent lights.

A few rare specimens may even have a bluish color, but they are extremely rare.

Click here to purchase loose rhodolite gems

 

Uses

It is a very popular gemstones, especially the red variety used in jewelry from ancient times, is still appreciated nowadays also in its different color variations.

Faceted into gemstone or cut into cabochon are a cheap alternatives to other red gems. When present visible inclusions, translucent or opaque clarity, Garnet are cut into cabochon or rondelles, chips, briolette or carved into sculptures.

With a medium hardness is usually used into any kind of jewelry like ring, bracelet, pendants or necklace.

Some rare and valuable gemstone are stored by gems collectors.

 

Care and Cleaning

Hardness depends of variety, but in general is considered a durable gemstone, that can be worn everyday,but some precaution are usefull when you clean your gemstone.

Don’t use ultrasonic cleaner or steam machine, to clean your Garnet jewel use soapy water and a soft used toothbrush, remember that this stone is not really hard and can be scratched by other gemstones, so store them separately.

Click here to purchase loose demantoid gemstones

 

Scam and Fraud

Several synthetic gemstones are simulant of other gemstones, like: YAG, cubic zirconia or colored glass gemstones can be sold for natural Garnet.
Rarely some doublet or triplet gemstones can be sold for natural, but they are rare because this gemstone variety is affordable and found in large quantity.

 

Gemological Info

  • Mineral family: Garnet
  • Crystal: Isomorphous (Dodecahedra)
  • Density: 3.60 – 4.20
  • Hardness: 6.5 – 7.5
  • Refractive index: 1.74 – 1.89
  • Optic Character: Isotropic
  • Color: Vary (Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, Purple, Gray, Black)
  • Cause of color: Presence of different impurities
  • Luster: Vitreous to sub adamantine
  • Clarity: Type II
  • Fluorescent: None or weak
  • Cleavage: Indistinct
  • Durability: Good