Description
Due to the large number of chemical elements they contain, Garnets come in a wide range of colors. However, the predominant color of Garnets is reddish-brown, due to the presence of iron.
Garnet is a family of several minerals:
Pyrope: fiery red tending slightly towards brown
Rhodolite: brilliant pyrope, pinkish red or even violet
Almandine: brick red, sometimes purplish
Spessartine: orange to reddish brown
Hessonite: deep orange
Tsavorite: bright to dark green
Demantoid: light green
Meaning and history
The name "Garnet" comes from the medieval Latin granatus, meaning "pomegranate", in reference to its red colour.
Garnets have been used as precious stones and abrasives since the Bronze Age. The pharaohs of ancient Egypt were adorned with necklaces set with red Garnets. In ancient Rome, signet rings were adorned with Garnet intaglios, which were used to stamp the wax protecting important documents. The clergy and nobility of the Middle Ages had a preference for red Garnets.
Where can I find them? Origin
Garnets come from many different countries and regions. Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) was the main source of the red pyrope garnets so popular in the Victorian era.
Today, the African continent supplies a large proportion of the world's Garnets. Namibia now produces demantoids, and most of the bright green tsavorites on the market come from Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar.
Namibia and Tanzania are also important sources of orange to yellow spessartine Garnet. They can also be found in Myanmar, Brazil, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.
Hardness & Care
The different types of Garnet fall between 6.5 and 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Garnets are therefore highly recommended for earrings, brooches and pendants. Think about how your Garnet jewellery is stored. If you leave them in contact with harder precious stones - diamonds, rubies and sapphires - they can be scratched. And in turn, garnet can scratch softer gemstones, such as opals or pearls.
Using a soft brush with warm soapy water is always safe for cleaning garnets. Ultrasonic cleaners are generally safe, except for stones that have fractures or have been filled with fractures. Steam cleaning is not recommended.
Virtues
Garnet has many properties: it brings strength and joie de vivre, energy, courage and self-confidence. It is also associated with strength of will, greater self-confidence and success.
Garnet is therefore a strong anchor stone. Garnet is said to have the power to free oneself from negative patterns of behavior and to regenerate oneself. It helps to combat discouragement, sadness and failure.
The ideal metal to go with garnet
Pyrope Garnet is a stone with a magical color, which can give a different look, style and vibration depending on its combination with a metal color:
White colored metals, i.e. platinum or white gold: the best choice for those looking for a more modern look, who want an item of jewellery where the stone is the center of attention, since white colors are excellent for emphasizing contrast and enhancing the stone.
Yellow gold: for a more classic and glamorous touch, an evening piece, to bring out the vintage style of a beautiful dress or to stand out from the crowd, yellow gold is the perfect choice. It has the gift of bringing out the orange or brown tones of this stone and creating a regal, antique look.
Rose gold: red and pink don't always complement each other, but paradoxically a Garnet set in rose gold has an irresistible vintage charm, a bold and stunning effect and brings warmth. Since rose gold is the only color that suits all skin tones, pyrope Garnets set in rose gold are surely a choice you won't regret.