Garnet, the stone of friendship, passion, cheer, and creativity, is most well-known for its sultry shades of red. Like a warm fire that draws our hypnotic gaze, the vivid red tones of Garnet attract and are said to evoke feelings of passion and love.
The garnet is a gift of love and is sometimes associated with the 2nd and 19th Anniversary. It is also the birthstone of January.
COLORS
Garnet is primarily recognized in its dark red color and often mistaken for a Ruby. However, did you know it is also available in many colors including, green, yellow, brown, and orange? Pure crystals of garnet are still used as gemstones. The gemstone varieties occur in shades of green, red, yellow, and orange. One of the most beautiful, expensive and rare gems is a clear green stone, called a Demantoid. Yet, the multiples shades of red remain the most popular hues of this gemstone.
Each shade has its own name as “Garnet” is used to refer to a group of gemstones. Some of the varieties include Almandine, Pyrope, Andradite, Demantoid, Grossular, and Spessartine – to name a few. The Almandine garnet was called Carbuncle in Biblical times and is one of the gems found on the ancient priest’s breastplate.
Fine quality stones from Czechoslovakia are known as Bohemian Garnet.
Garnet is found and mined in countries such as Austria, Hungary, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, and India.
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- Green uncut mali garnet gemstones
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- Orange, uncut spessartine garnets
HISTORY & MEANING
This particular gemstone was named after the Pomegranate ( pomum granatum) and means “dark red” and “seed”. In the natural, the stone has a strong resemblance to the small round seeds of a pomegranate. In Old Spain, the pomegranate was a favorite fruit, and as a result, so was the Garnet.
Additionally, they both are referenced as a gift of love and exchanged between parting friends or lovers to symbolize their affection and to ensure that they meet again. It is an ancient symbol of friendship and often used during the Victorian times for jewelry.
It is a lively and brilliant stone said to inspire passion, contemplation, success, devotion, truthfulness, faith and friendship.
Usually, the garnet is one of the few gemstones unenhanced. It is beautiful in pendants, rings, and earrings. It used to be popular to arrange the stones in clusters, set in gold.
CLEANING YOUR STONE
You can clean your garnet with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Always make sure you rinse the stone well. Ultrasonic treatments are appropriate for most garnets EXCEPT the demantoid variety. Do not steam clean your garnet.
Whether you want to convey love and passion, or friendship and loyalty, we’d love the opportunity to sit down with you to find a perfect piece of jewelry with a Garnet for whatever message you are wanting to convey.
Call us at 719-232-8122 to schedule an appointment or simply stop by today! We are your Colorado Springs jeweler.
