Buy Almandine Garnet Gems

Garnets are one of the most diverse of all gemstones, available in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes that is the envy of other gem types.

The Garnet family includes such famous names as tsavorite, pyrope, hessonite, demantoid and, of course, our featured gemstone, Almandine.

Almandine Garnet Colors

Almandine Garnets are basically red but the color can range from a brownish tone all the way to an almost purple gemstone with the finest deep reds the most appreciated.

Almandine Garnet Species

Although there are at least 20 species of garnet, only 5 are really used as gemstones and one of them is Almandine, the others are:

• Pyrope
• Spessartite
• Grossular
• Andradite

It is very rare that these different species are found in a totally pure state, there is always some mixing and matching going on and this will affect the color dramatically.

For example, an Almandine/Pyrope mix will produce a very red gemstone while an Almandine/Spessartite combination form a more orange tone.

Certain almandine/pyrope mixes of exceptional purplish pink color can be called Rhodolite and are very highly valued.

See our Rhodolite Garnet on sale here

What are the spiritual benefits of Almandine Garnet?

Almandine Garnets will possess the spiritual attributes that have been bestowed upon all garnets for centuries and these include:

• Detoxifying and Purifying
• Grounding and Energizing
• Protective and Healing
• Improves Sexuality

See our detailed article on Garnet meaning and uses

Almandine Garnet and the Chakras

As a primarily red or reddish brown gemstone, Almandine Garnets will have most influence on the Root Chakra which deals with aspects of life such as security and stability.

Find more details on Chakra gemstones here

Almandine Garnet Price

Like just about every colored gemstone, Almandine Garnets are first valued on their color and the best thing to remember would be 'the redder, the better'! However even nice red examples with excellent clarity are still very inexpensive.

Carat Weight

Almandine garnets are available in a range of sizes but anything over 2 carats with good color and clarity will fetch a decent price. Around 1 carat stones will be $5 - $20 per carat while an almandine over 2 carats can reach between $20 and $60 per carat.

For more details please refer to our full Garnet Info page here

Almandine Garnet Treatments

Almandine Garnets like most garnet species are not known to be treated in any way to enhance their appearance other than the usual cutting and polishing.

Almandine Garnet History

Garnets are one of our oldest known gemstones with a history going back to the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks and it is quite possible that the Almandine Garnet was the first to find fame.

The name Almandine comes from a city in Asia Minor (now Turkey) called Alabanda which was famous for its gemstone cutting and jewelry making. Pliny the Elder mentioned 'jewels from Alabanda' in his encyclopedia written in the first century AD.

Garnet was given its name in 1270 by Philosopher Albertus Magnus from its similarity to a bright red pomegranate seed.

Where are Almandine Garnet found?

Almandine Garnets are found in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Brazil, India and still occasionally in central Europe and the USA.

What jewelry is Almandine Garnet suitable for?

Almandine Garnets are rated between 6.5 and 7.5 on Mohs hardness scale and are a suitable gemstone for all types of jewelry items.

Almandine Garnets are very commonly found in small cabochon shapes available as gemstone lots at very reasonable prices which makes them great for multiple stone jewelry designs.

Birthstones and Anniversaries

Almandine Garnet is the official birthstone of January and would make a great gift for anyone who has a birthday at the beginning of the year.

Almandine Garnet is the traditional gemstone to celebrate the 2nd wedding anniversary.