Garnet Gemstone Information

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When thinking of garnet gemstones, most people think of red garnet. Garnet most commonly occurs in red, and the origin of the name "garnet" lies in this deep red hue. The name "garnet" comes from the Medieval Latin word, "granatum", which is an adjective meaning "dark-red". It is thought that this adjective could have been extracted from the word "pomegranate", due to the color of the seed coats or shape of the seeds. However, the word could also have come from another Medieval Latin word; "granum", referring to red dye. The use of red garnet dates back thousands of years, when it was used by Egyptian pharaohs for both decorative and ceremonial purposes. The ancient Romans also wore garnet rings and traded garnet gemstones.

Garnet is a gem group that occurs in over twenty varieties. Of these varieties, six main types are used as gems. These are pyrope, almandite, spessartite, grossularite, andradite and uvarovite. Large deposits of red garnet were discovered in Bohemia (Central Europe) around the 16th century, which became the focus of the jewelry industry in the area. Bohemian garnet from the Czech Republic continues to be mined today. Although red is the most commonly occurring color, garnet occurs in almost every color.

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Garnet is found all over the world. Different types of garnet occur in different locations. One of the most recently discovered colors of garnet is rare blue garnet, which was discovered in the late 1990s in Madagascar. It has since been found in other regions, including the USA, Russia, Kenya, Tanzania and Turkey. The following shows the type of garnet and place where it is usually found:

Pyrope: China, Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma), South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the USA.
Rhodolite: Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the USA.
Almandine: Brazil, India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and the USA. Smaller deposits exist in Austria and the Czech Republic.
Star Garnet: Star-stones are found in Madagascar, India and the United States.
Spessartite: Brazil, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the USA. Some of the best specimens come from Namibia and are referred to as "Mandarin garnet".
Color Change Garnet: East Africa, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Magagascar, United States, Norway, Tanzania and Tunduru.
Mali Garnet: Mali, West Africa
Malaya Garnet (Malaia): Tanzania and Kenya, East Africa
Hydrogrossular: Myanmar (Burma), South Africa and Zambia.
Hessonite: Brazil, Canada, Madagascar, India, Tanzania and the USA.
Leuco garnet: Canada, Mexico and Tanzania.
Tsavorite: Kenya and Tanzania.
Demantoid: Russia, China, Korea, USA and Zaire.
Melanite: France, Germany, Italy and the USA.
Topazolite): Italy, Switzerland and the USA.
Uvarovite: Canada, Finland, India, Poland, Russia and the USA.

Garnet Color and Hue

Garnet is available in a veritable plethora of colors, such as yellow, orange, peach, green, red, purple, blue (rare), brown and pink.

A Typical Range of Garnet Gemstone Colors

However, the most commonly occurring color is red and the rarest is blue. Garnet also occurs in color change varieties, which exhibit a different color depending on whether they are viewed in incandescent or natural light. The rarest color change garnet appears blue in daylight, and changes to purplish-red under torch light. Other color change garnets are green, beige, brown or gray in daylight, and change to reddish or purplish-pink under incandescent light. The color of garnet is the most important quality factor.

Garnet Clarity and Luster

Garnet exhibits a vitreous (glassy) luster. Demantoid garnet, a rare green variety of andradite, has a high refractive index and is prized for its brilliance and adamantine luster (diamond-like) luster. In fact, the name, "demantoid", comes from the German word "demant", meaning "diamond", in reference to its luster. Garnets are generally clean stones, however, almandine garnets sometimes have asbestos fibre inclusions. These inclusions cause asterism (a star effect), which is treasured due to its rarity. Additionally, some orange garnet, such as spessartite and hessonite tends to exhibit eye-visible inclusions. Russian demantoid garnet is highly for its distinctive, horsetail-like inclusions.

Garnet Cut and Shape

Garnets are extremely versatile and can be cut in any fashion and shape. Red garnet tends to be cut into standard shapes, whereas valuable garnets that are not often found in large sizes, such as tsavorite and demantoid, are cut into shapes that retain the most carat weight.

Garnet Treatment

Garnet is not artificially enhanced in any way.

Please refer to our Gemstone Glossary for details of gemology-related terms.

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Since garnets occur in such a wide choice of colors, they can be mistaken for other gemstones. Varieties of garnet can also be confused amongst themselves. Types of garnet can also be confused, since some of them are similar in color, such as red almandine, rhodolite and pyrope garnets. Chemical composition can help to identify garnet varieties. Due to color, almandine garnets can be confused with dark-red spinel or rubellite tourmaline. However, spinel is harder than garnet, measuring 8 on the Mohs scale, and tourmaline has a trigonal crystal system, which sets it apart from garnet. Pyrope garnet is another red variety of garnet that can be confused with almandine, though pyrope garnet has a different chemical composition.

Read "All About Garnet" to Learn More About Popular Garnet Types

The orange variety of spessartite can be confused with andalusite, chrysoberyl, fire opal, hessonite, sphene and topaz. Andalusite can be identified by its strong pleochroism. Chrysoberyl, topaz, sphene and fire opal can be distinguished by their hardness; chrysoberyl and topaz are 8 on the Mohs scale, while sphene measures 5 - 5.5 and fire opal has a hardness of 5.5 - 6.5.

Garnet has long been thought of as a travelers' stone. In fact, Noah's Ark is said to have had a garnet lantern to help navigate during the night. In traditional Hindu belief systems, garnet is associated with the first chakra, or the "root chakra", which is positioned at the base of the spine. The root chakra when clear is associated with healthy sexual activity and feelings of security and stability. Garnet is also thought to promote successful business, encourage compassion and aid self-confidence. Garnet is said to have the ability to heal the blood and encourage good circulation. Garnet is the traditional birthstone for January, the zodiacal stone for Aquarius and the second anniversary stone.

In ancient times, garnet and other red gemstones cut en cabochon were called 'carbuncle', which is not the prettiest of names because it was also used to define pus-filled boils, but nevertheless, were used as 'friendship gems'. The Latin word, "carbunculus" alludes to a burning piece of coal or ember. This may have been used to refer to garnet because of its bright color.

Garnet is incredibly versatile due to its great variety of colors and is ideal for almost any type of jewelry, such as rings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, hair pins and other beautiful ornaments.

Those planning to use garnets in jewelry should first consider their preferred color. The choice of garnet colors is great, with yellow, orange, peach, green, red, purple, blue, brown and pink possibilities. Since garnet has such a long history, there is a great deal of beautiful red garnet antique jewelry available. Almandine garnet crystals occur in larger sizes than pyrope garnet, so almandine is often used as central stones. Traditional pyrope garnet jewelry from the Bohemian mines of Central Europe typically features small, closely-set stones that appear like ripe, glistening pomegranate seeds. Garnet has also been worked into various modern designs, such as drilled garnet stacked earrings, square cut garnets, or garnets set into smooth, sleek silver. Garnets are also mixed with other gemstones of contrasting color to create an innovative modern look.

A garnet cabochon set into an exquisite flower brooch from the estate of Jackie Kennedy Onassis reached over $100,000 in an auction.

A spessartite butterfly is displayed at the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History, USA. The spessartite was mined in California, and the butterfly features a pair of tsavorite eyes. An antique pyrope garnet hairpin is exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, USA. This is a stunning example of Bohemian garnets; the pyrope garnets set into the hairpin originated in the mines of Bohemia, Czech Republic.

Note: Buy colored gemstones by size and not by carat weight. Colored stones vary in size-to-weight ratio. Some stones are larger and others are smaller than diamonds by weight in comparison.

Garnets are quite tough and durable, though the hardness depends on the type of garnet. For example, demantoid garnets are softer than almandine, pyrope, spessartite and tsavorite garnets. Proper care for garnets includes protecting them from hard blows, which could damage them. To clean your garnets, simply use warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Be sure to rinse well to remove soapy residue. As with most gemstones, ultrasonic cleaners and steamers are not recommended. Always remove any jewelry or gemstones before exercising, cleaning or engaging in harsh physical activities such as sport. Store garnets away from other gemstones to avoid scratches. It is best to wrap gemstones in soft cloth or place them inside a fabric-lined jewelry box.