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When most people hear the name Garnet they think red. But Garnets are more then just a cheap red gemstone. Garnets can come in a wide variety of colors and some can be quite valuable. This guide is a comprehensive look at many different kinds of Garnets and their individual properties.
History
Garnets have been around a very long time. Dating back to Bible, Noah, it is reported, used a lantern of Garnet in order to safely steer The Ark through the darkness of night. Garnets were known to have been used in 3100 B.C. by Egyptian artisans who created beautiful garnet beads, bracelets and other jewelry. They also used crushed Garnets as an abrasive. The ancient Chinese are said to have used Garnets as bullets! But Garnets did not reach their heyday until the late19th century when Victorian women were practically dripping in Garnet jewelry.
Victorian Jewelry provided by jewelcollect01 German Eagle Brooch provided by trinkettrauma
Garnets are actually one of the largest families of gemstones. Most natural garnets are mixtures of two or more of the following pure species.
Types of Garnet
ALMANDINE Fe3Al2(SiO4)3 reddish brown to brown
ANDRADITE Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3 brown, black or green
GROSSULAR Ca3Al2(SiO4)3 colorless, orange or green
PYROPE Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 dark red to ruby red
SPESSARTINE Mn3Al2(SiO4)3 orange, pink or brown
UVAROVITE Ca3Cr2(SiO4)3 green
Common Garnet varieties:
- Pyrope (also called Bohemian garnet, or Cape ruby) is the best know of all garnets. This gem is a deep rich red. This gem is very inexpensive.
- Rhodolite: Raspberry red to dark bubble gem pink. Prices are nicely affordable.
- Umbalite: Pink to peachy pink. Hard to find and can be costly.
- Hessonite: Rich burnt orange to reddish orange. These can get pricey for gems over 1 carat in size.
- Spessartite: Red with flashes of orange. Can be dark with brown undertones. Medium price range
- Mandarine: Fantastic bright orange. Rare and pricey.
- Mali: medium green-yellow (chartreuse) color
- Tsavorite: Bright green. These gems are becoming extremely popular and prices continues to rise. Tsavorite is usually not found in large sizes. Gems above 2 carats are rare and can run into the thousands of dollars.
- Demantoid: Light green, yellow green, yellow brown. Not found in large sizes. Gems above 2 carats are rare and can run into many thousands of dollars.
Color change Garnets are in a class all by themselves. They are rare and highly sought after. Color change Garnets have sold for as much as $6,000 per carat! Most color change Garnets on the market today are from Bekily, Madagascar, Tunduru, Tanzania. and Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
The Madagascar material goes from a raspberry red to a bluish gray. The Tanzanian material goes from a raspberry red to a teal blue color.
The Ceylon (Sri Lanka) gems change from reddish purple in incandescent to blue, green, gray in daylight.
Ideally, you are looking for a 100% color change with two pleasing colors. In reality, you will only find a lower percentage color change. 40% to 70% if you are lucky enough to find a natural color change gem. The more vivid the colors of a color change, the more valuable the gemstone.
To appreciate the full range of color change in these stones, one needs to observe the stones under early morning light, fluorescent light, late afternoon sunlight, and incandescent light.
Be advised there are many lab created and synthetic color change gems on the market. 100% color change is extremely rare in natural gems. Buy only from reputable dealers and verify with an independent source.
Rhodolite Tsavorite Umbalite
What to look for when buying Garnets.
- Cut: Garnets come in a way of array of shapes and sizes.
- Size: Garnets are easily found in sizes up to 10 carats. Larger gems are available but you will pay a premium for gem over 10 carats.
- Clarity: Garnet should be flawless or only have a few inclusions. Demantoid Garnets are the exception, they are almost always included.
- Cost: Garnet can cost a few pennies for a pyrope to a few thousand for a Demantoid.
- Care: Garnets are hearty and can take a daily wear. Clean with a dry soft cloth.
- Treatments: Garnets are not normally heated or enhanced in any way
- Source: Garnets are quite plentiful and can be found and many location throughout the world including: Kenya, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Canada and USA. In USA garnet has been obtained in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Florida, California and Virginia. The majority of today's Garnet supplies come from Africa. Notable quantities of garnets have been also found in Czech Republic and Spain. The oranges and browns of Spessartite and Hessonite hail from Namibia and Sri Lanka.
Hessonite Pyrope Demantoid
Other information about Garnets.
Birthstone for the month of January.
The name's origin: Garnets were so called by the ancient Greeks since color reminded them of the pomegranate seed or geranium.
Healing Properties: Garnet is an excellent assistance for blood deficiency diseases. It is said to stimulates bloodstream and pituitary gland, relieves rheumatism and arthritis pain. Garnet combats depression and lethargy. Garnet also stimulates the spleen. Garnet protects against depression and impure thoughts. Cures fevers and promotes good health.
Mystical power: It is said Garnet is a good luck stone and should be carried close to the body. Its energy is balancing and peaceful. This stone of passion stimulates the sexual drive. Garnet gives energy and courage. It is said to encourage robust good health and sexual desire, enhance the wearer's imagination. Garnet symbolizes fire, faith, courage, truth, grace, compassion, constancy and fidelity. It also offers protection to the traveler.
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