Garnet - Seeds of the Pomegranate
My first introduction to Garnet
Personally, I first discovered garnets many years ago whilst walking along a South Island west coast beach with my (then) geologist boyfriend, John who is now my husband. On a side note, I figured he quite liked me because he always wanted me in the photos, though later I found out he was using me as a scale measure for the rocks (as shown in old photos above in the carousel) - but that’s a whole other story.
Whilst strolling along the beach, I stopped to pick up a handful of grey stones that were sparkling in the sunshine. On closer inspection some of them had little deep holes in them filled with a deep red. Fortunately I had a geologist with me and he told me that the red was actually little garnet crystals. Lucky me I had stumbled upon some real life gems in their natural environment ! Happy Days! Little did I know then what my future had in store for me!
So… many years later, I have now delved a little deeper into garnets and have come to learn quite a bit more.
Where do garnets come from?
Garnets are found across the globe in many different countries and continents including the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia as well as Australia and even New Zealand. Whilst there are lots of different types of garnets only a handful are considered gemstone quality.
The name ‘garnet” is derived from the latin for word for seed “grānum” most likely because of the its deep red resembling the seeds of a pomegranate fruit. However, as you may know garnets come in other colours too… but more on that later.
Garnets in History
The use of garnets in jewellery can be traced as far back as the Bronze Age in England when they were used in Cloisonné work (inlaid, generally with gold) to create amulets, brooches and other decorative pieces. Beyond this garnets were also used by the Greeks, Egyptians and many European cultures in adornments and even on some weapons. Like many gemstones garnets were thought to have healing properties Some cultures thought they were linked to the heart and would stimulate the circulation of the blood, others believed that garnets could reverse the effects of poison. In the Middle Ages some believed that garnets were linked to dragons and could even warn of impending peril.
Science - What makes a garnet?
So forgive me if I get a bit geeky here (I have a geologist in the house). Garnet is actually a group name for a diverse set of minerals/gem that usually have the same crystal structure and contain 2 types of metal (X + Y) + silicon and oxygen.
The chemical formula for garnet is 3 particles of Silicon + 12 particles of Oxygen + 3 particles of X + 2 particles of Y
For example:
Almandine garnet (X = Iron and Y = Aluminium) Red
Pyrope garnet (X = Magnesium and Y =Aluminium) Red, Purple - Chrome Pyrope has chrome as well and is a deeper red (rarer)
Grossular garnet (X = Calcium and Y = Aluminium) Orange/Brown (Hessonite) Green (Tsavorite)
Spessartine garnet (X = Manganese and Y = Aluminium) Orange Red
Andradite garnet (X = Calcium and Y = Iron) Green and yellowish green (Demantoid)
Uvarovite garnet ( X = Calcium and Y = Chromium) Dark Green (rare)
It is the combinations of minerals that determine the type and also colour of the stone. In saying this there are so many different variations on these as a small amount of mineral impurity (on top of that which I have detailed above) can change the colour. The Moh’s hardness also can slightly differ between garnets also so 6.5-7.7 as a rule of thumb.
Garnet colours
Whilst Garnets are most often associated with a deep dark red, they actually come in quite a few colours that include green, brown, orange, purple, pink, yellow and black. There is even a colour changing variety discovered in 1990 that changes from a blue green to purple - though I haven’t come across one in bead form.
Wristocracy sells garnets in many of these colours, and also in different cuts and sizes. (See below)
Varieties of garnet
The main varieties of garnet are Almandine, Pyrope, Spessartine, Andradite, Uvarovite and Grossular. You may have also heard about Rhodolite (a blend almandine and pyrope garnets) and Tsavorite (Green), Hessonite (Orange/Brown) which are actually Grossular but have been given these trade names to distinguish them in the jewellery market and also Demantoid (Green) which is an Andradite garnet. Fine specimens of Demantoid are rare and can be very expensive.
In simple terms, all of these garnets have a common mineral structure and the different chemical variations (amounts of iron, magnesium, calcium, manganese and aluminium) plus the impurities (detailed above) that determine the colour variation and thus the variety of the mineral. There are even some super rare colour changing garnets.
What garnets does Wristocracy have available?
Good question. I hold differing quantities of several types, colours , sizes and cuts of garnet. This includes 10mm, 8mm, 6mm, 4mm, 3mm, 2mm and odd sized beads with smooth and faceted finishes and various shapes as well.
As only some of my suppliers specify the type, preferring instead to list the origin of the garnet, I can only definitively identify some of my stones. If it is not told to me I can take a guess but will not list a type unless I know it to be that.
As a fair bit of my unidentified garnet comes from Brazil, it is likely to be Almandine, Rhodolite and/or Pyrope as this is what the region produces. I do however also hold various sizes and cuts of Grossularite, Tsavorite Spessartine, Hessonite and Malay (Pink Umbalite) or in colour terms, red, pink, green, brown, orange and purple garnet. (See pictures below for some of the garnet I have available, though this is by no means all).
All of my beads are available for making my own listed jewellery but they can also be made available for custom pieces of your choosing.
Use the search tool to find what is on the website now in ready made garnet jewellery and for access to other types and more specifics - message me.
Please Note: I will never try to hard sell you anything - I promise!
PS Whilst at the time of writing this I have no new garnet bracelet sets - I am definitely working one !
Some other random interesting garnet information
Garnet is the birthstone for January and the zodiac signs of Aquarius, Capricorn, Leo and Virgo.
It is also the traditional gemstone gift for a second year anniversary, representing passion, love, commitment, and friendship. (Prince William gave Princess Catherine a garnet and pearl ring when they were dating to denote each of the their birthstones. Hers garnet - his pearl).
Garnet is associated with the both Root and Heart Chakras
MOH rating (scale hardness rating used on stones out of 10) is between 6.5-7.5.
In the late 1800’s it is said that garnets were used as ammunition in bows and guns by Kashmiri warriors to ward off British colonial forces!
If you are in possession of Garnet it is said to attract good luck! However if it is stolen, it is said to attract bad luck for the recipient!
In Greek mythology, Persephone, daughter of Zeus and the Greek goddess of Spring is associated with the Garnet. Hades King of the Underworld captured Persephone (as he was lonely) and made her his wife and Queen of the Underworld. He released Persephone so that she could her mother Demeter (who was causing wide spread famine because Persephone had been taken) giving her a pomegranate so that she could return at her will. Upon eating a seed from the pomegranate she was able to traverse both worlds - that of the living and that of the dead.
In the Bible, Garnets featured on the high priest’s breastplate. (Exodus 28). They are said to symbolise sacrifice and devotion because of their blood red colour.
Metaphysically, garnets are thought to be an amplifier of bravery, kindness, and creativity as well as a catalyst for attracting love and increasing wealth. They are also said to boost your libido!
Please Note this is not written or intended as a definitive guide but rather my own overview.
References: A practical introduction to optical mineralogy (C.D Gribble A.J Hall). Collins Dictionary of Geology (Dorothy Farris Lapidus), Crystals & Gems - from mythical properties to magical stories - (DK) Rock & Mineral (DK) GEM - The definitive visual guide (Aja Raden) and John Nowak (Bsc Msc), The International Gem Society.