Garnet: Gemstones for all occasions

Garnet has been used in jewelry for thousands of years. Garnet beads and inlaid jewelry were worn in ancient Egypt as early as 3100BC. The name “Garnet” comes from the Latin "granatum” meaning "pomegranate seed", which the red crystals resemble.

The world of garnet is more colorful than we thought, thanks to the new finds in Africa. It is true to say that red is the color most frequently found in garnet, but this gemstone group occurs in many colors. Besides red, garnet can also be various shades of green, yellow, orange, brown, pink, or purple.

The following are some important members of the garnet group:

Trade Name/Variety - Basic Color

Pyrope - red

Rhodolite – purplish red, reddish purple, purple, pink

Spessartite (also spessartine) – orange, reddish orange, red-orange, orangy red

Mandarin Garnet – orange, yellowish orange, reddish orange

Demantoid – green, yellowish green

Tsavorite – bluish green, green, yellowish green

Hessonite – orange, brownish orange, brownish yellow

Mali Garnet – green, yellow

Color Change Garnet – fluorescent: blue, green, violet; incandescent: purplish red, red, purple

Malaia (also malaya) Garnet – orange, pinkish orange, reddish orange, brown, pink

Because of the variety of its colors, garnet is gemstone for every fashion trend. The classical color of this gemstone group is red, but the green of demantoid and tsavorite is highly esteemed. Also the orange of spessartite is much sought-after, and the pink or purple of rhodolite is amazing.

What makes garnet so popular and always in high demand? Garnet appeals due to its natural beauty, magnificent brilliance, and excellent wearing quality. Garnet is rarely subjected to any treatment, and is ideal to work into jewelry. With the excellent hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs’ scale, garnet is suitable for everyday wear and is easy to care for.

Garnet represents friendship, and is a good luck charm. According to legend, garnet will help people improve personal relationships and protect the wearer from harm and disaster.

Today, garnet is found world wide, but some varieties are unique to certain areas only. Tsavorite and malaia (or malaya) garnet, for example are found only in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar).

Garnet is the birthstone for January and is the suggested gift for the 2nd anniversary.

Orange Mandarin Garnet Mandarin Garnet 3.9ct Price =$1,950.00

ColorChange Garnet ColorChange Garnet 1.4ct Price =$459.00

Spessartite Garnet Spessartite Garnet 6.45ct Price =$695.00