All About Garnet: Types, Colors, Description, Origins & Details
Garnet: so intensely vibrant that we cannot help but fall for its beauty over and over again. Be it because of the bold appearance, the intense depth or the romance it holds, Garnet is a gemstone that we all cannot just stop gushing over! In fact, the name ‘Garnet’ itself has been derived from the Latin word ‘granatus’ meaning Pomegranate, thanks to its deep red color. Well, we’re all a fan of its beauty but don’t you think we should be well versed with some key aspects that dominate the beauty of Garnet as well as some fun facts surrounding it? Having mentioned that, our Garnet education is the overall guide to help you buy garnet and get you well versed with the basic knowledge revolving around garnet including the history, origin, famous 4 Cs, properties, basically everything that might come to your mind! Buying a garnet is an important personal, financial and emotional decision. Keeping this in mind, our expert team of gemologists makes it easier for you to make the right choice while choosing garnets with the right Garnet education.
Properties of Garnet
Hardness
Known to possess a hardness between 7.5 to 8.5 on Moh’s scale, Garnet is pretty durable, thus making it easy for it to withstand the wear and tear of regular use. A favorite of all for a reason!
Colors
What colors? Isn’t it red? Yes, we know how you’re just well aware of the classic red color of garnet but it comes in a number of other vibrant colors as well including orange, green, rosy red, violet red. A versatile gemstone indeed!
Sizes
Well, although Garnet can come in an immense number of shapes and sizes, the standard size of Garnet is 6.5 MM for 1 CT.
Origin & History
How did it actually come into picture? Aren’t you already intrigued thinking about the engrossing history of this beautiful January birthstone? Garnet has its history dating back to around 5000 years ago around Bronze age. History has it that from engraving Plato’s portrait to illuminating Noah’s ship, Garnet has been used and regarded quite valuable for it all. Yes, that old, but the charm just the same. In fact, since Medieval period it has been known to possess great healing powers as well. Some say that Egyptians were quite mesmerized by it and thus, were the first ones to inlay it in their jewelry since 3100 BC. Yes, beautiful then, beautiful today! Didn’t garnet education just get interesting?
Where is Garnet found?
When we’re mesmerized by the beauty of something, we want to explore it more and more, isn’t it? What are we here for! Garnet, being available in a number of colors today, though the most common of them being red, is found in a number of countries including Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania , Iran, Afghanistan, Russia and Pakistan. Talking about its specific formation, Garnet was found in metamorphic rocks as well as igneous rocks of course under extreme temperatures. The intense red color of this gemstone can surely give you an idea of that, don’t you agree? Now, that’s some January birthstone education coming your way!
Natural versus Lab Created Garnet
Natural Garnet
Natural garnet, just how the name suggests are formed naturally in metamorphic and igneous rocks under extreme temperatures. They also come along with a history dating back to the Queen Victoria era. Apart from that, Natural Garnet tends to possess more inclusions and blemishes.
Lab Created Garnet
A Lab created garnet is typically made by re-creating the same environment, just in lab. They are quite recent and thus do not have such an intriguing history behind their formation, as opposed to their natural counterparts. They also don’t have many inclusions and blemishes since they are made in Lab.
Garnet Quality and Price Filters
When it comes to our favorite gemstone, we only want the best! Why not? Who would want to compromise with the quality of such a beautiful gemstone! And guess what? That’s not such a difficult task anymore! If you’re confused thinking how to buy garnet, let’s give you a glance at the 4 Cs that determine its quality:
Color
Yes, red is the most intense and a favorite color of all, specially women. But did you know Garnet comes in a number of other colors as well? Take a look:
- Pyrope Garnet, I.E., Fiery Red: Are you also fond of one of those intense, bold gemstones enriched with fiery and deep red color, thanks to the presence of Chromium. Color so deep red that it is often confused with Ruby.
- Almandine Garnet, I.E., Violet Red: The story of red hasn’t ended yet. Almandine garnet is known to be red in color but with a tint of violet as well, thanks to the presence of aluminium silicate in it.
- Rhodolite Garnet, I.E., Rosy Red: Rhodolite, or shall we call it a combination of pyrope and almandine in color! It is another red-violet or rosy red garnet, as the name itself might suggest, that has made it to the trend.
- Spessartite, I.E., Orange: Having sun-like orange color hues and being formed in metamorphic rocks, Spessartite is another vivid colored variety of Garnet.
- Tsavorite, I.E., Dark Green: Similar to Emerald, a Tsavorite garnet possesses deep, royal and intense green color. Another unique variety of Garnet indeed!
- Demantoid, I.E., Light Green: Are you also fond of one of those intense, bold gemstones enriched with fiery and deep red color, thanks to the presence of Chromium. Color so deep red that it is often confused with Ruby.
Clarity
Or shall we say the USP of any gemstone! When talking about garnets, their red variety is usually eye-clean without any visible inclusions. The almandine quality can sometimes be found with asbestos fiber inclusions giving it a star-like effect. Moreover, the orange varieties like spessartite often has inclusions visible to eyes. While grossularite garnets are translucent, making them fit for cabochons, beads and carvings.
Carat
A one carat Garnet is known to weigh around 0.5 grams and you can find Garnet with weight typically ranging between 0.01 to 2 CT. Also, it is to be kept in mind that the carat weight has an impact on its price.
Cut
The cut of an garnet determines the overall color and brilliance of the gemstone. Therefore, any skilled cutter keeps in mind the overall shape, width, depth and faceting of an garnet. The skills of the cutter contribute to the beautiful sparkle of the gem as much as the conditions which led to its formation. For the January Birthstone, there can be many cuts such as faceted, cabochons, beads, drops, carvings etc. In terms of price, cut stones occupy the position of costliest followed by cabochons and beads.
Garnet Grading Value
You know how we’ve always followed the habit of grading something in order to judge its quality? Well to simplify the tedious process, we’d do just that for you. Take a look at our diamond education chart:
AAAA-A
We’ re typically discussing a garnet buying guide, so why won’t we take a look at its grading system? Quite fun too, wouldn’t it be? We bet after having a look at it, you’d be able to judge your Garnet a little better:
AAAA (Heriloom)
The rarest, most valuable and a top notch quality of Garnet! That’s exactly why only 1 % of Garnet belong to this category. Possessing pure eye clean clarity, intense color and brilliance, it is without any doubt one of the most sought after quality of Garnet.
AAA (Best)
With 10 % of garnet belonging to this category, a AAA quality graded garnet possesses clarity with no visible inclusions to the naked eye along with medium to deep red hue.
AA (Better)
With around 33 % of Garnet belonging to this category, it does have some slight inclusions along with medium to dark red color.
A (Good)
Possessing moderate to some inclusions, 75 % of Garnet belong to this category as well.
Benefits of Garnet
This versatile January birthstone also comes with its share of perks. You see, that’s the beauty of a gemstone! Beauty and benefits combined indeed! And when talking of Garnet education, being well versed with its benefits is quite integral. Let’s give you a glance:
Physical Healing
Having ties with Root Chakra, Garnet is known to help in blood purification by detoxifying the body and keeping the lungs healthy. In fact, it is even known to protect against poisons. Beauty with benefits indeed!
Emotional Healing
A glance at Garnet is enough for that, isn’t it? Well, Garnet is known to radiate positivity and has been known to heal depression since ancient times, bringing balance and strength to the life of the wearer. It is known to align all the chakras in the body.
Metaphysical Benefits
A gemstone known for symbolizing prosperity, wealth and love. Yes, everything together! Pretty wholesome, isn’t it? In fact, it is also known to stimulate the sex drive of the wearer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a Garnet formed?
All kinds of Garnets are found all over the world and the formation of garnets took place when a sedimentary rock with high aluminum content is metamorphosed that is subjected to heat and pressure. Such conditions cause the breaking of chemical bonds in the rocks.
What is difference between lab grown and natural Garnets?
Like most of the gemstones, there is an option to choose between natural and lab-created Garnets. One must not confuse “lab grown” with the “fake”. While synthetic is a replica the lab grown is developed in a controlled lab environment.
Notably, there are arise two major difference in both categories as lab grown garnets tend to be uniformly colored, free of flaws and cost lesser.
Where do Garnets come from?
Australia is the largest producer of garnets contributing almost half of the garnet supplies to the world. While the rest of the countries being India, USA and China.
How to take care of Garnet Jewelry?
Garnet Jewelry is quite easy to clean due to their hardness and durability. However, a few things must be kept in mind like avoiding contact of the gemstone with make-up, harsh chemicals, abrasives.
While cleaning the jewelry make use of lukewarm water and mild cleaning detergent. Soft toothbrush can be used to clean the underside of the garnet.
Also, the jewelry must be individually kept to avoid contact with other jewelry to avoid unnecessary scratches.
What is a Garnet certification?
The most common Garnet Certifications includes from GIA, SGL and HRD labs. It is usually a document you receive on the behalf of the aforementioned 3rd party labs which describes an amethyst in all of its characteristics.
Each and every party’s defining grounds may defer.s
What is the spiritual meaning of Garnet?
Garnet is known to symbolize prosperity, gratitude, love and friendship. Yes, everything together! Having ties with Sacral, Heart Chakra and Solar Plexus, Garnet has long been known as an extremely spiritual stone.
Is Garnet a strong stone?
The hardness of Garnet typically ranges between 7.5 to 8.5 on Moh’s scale, making it quite durable to be worn on a regular basis.
What birthstone is a Garnet?
The birthstone of Garnet is January, making it extra lucky for all the January babies out there!
Conclusion
Garnet: vibrant, intense and bright! As much as we love adorning this beautiful gemstone, being a little educated of the key aspects, history and facts surrounding it would only help us know our gemstone better, don’t you think? And since we’re so head over heels in love with this beautiful gemstone, we think we should also know how to buy it right! That’s what our garnet education guide is here for! Having discussed everything under our radar from the meaning, history to the 4 Cs and benefits for this vibrant gemstone, we’re sure you’d have something to take away from this brief discussion. You’d certainly go better educated of this gemstone. That was the entire point! Having said that, we just want to wish you luck in buying garnet jewelry. We’re sure since you know your gemstone better now, you’d choose the most perfect jewelry as well.