What are Garnets?
Garnets are a collection of silicate minerals that have been cherished since the Bronze Age as both gemstones and for their abrasive qualities. While you might recognize garnets by their signature deep red hues, they’re also available in a spectrum of colors including orange, brown, yellow, pink, green, blue, and even colorless. Garnets in shades like peach, green, colorless, and blue are less common and more prized.
Beyond their beauty, garnets are esteemed for their durability and hardness, ranking 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale.
Garnet History
The name “garnet” derives from the Latin word “granatum,” meaning grain or seed, akin to the deep red seeds of a pomegranate that garnets resemble. This beloved gemstone has captivated people for millennia. Red garnet necklaces adorned the pharaohs of Egypt, and ancient Romans crafted carved garnets as seals for important documents. During the Middle Ages, garnets were believed to cure depression and were considered a protective talisman against evil, disaster, wounds, poison, and night terrors.
Where are Garnets Mined?
Garnet mines span across the globe, located in countries such as Brazil, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Russia, the United States, and China. The stones mined in each region exhibit unique colors, with Sri Lanka being known for its rhodolite garnet, a common deep reddish-purple variant.
What Makes Garnets Special?
Garnets are not only known for their diverse and unique colors but also for being the birthstone for January. While deep red garnets are typically associated with the birthstone, garnets of various vibrant colors are equally stunning.
The vivid colors and broad palette of choices make garnets highly desirable for all sorts of fine jewelry. From engagement rings to bracelets, earrings, and necklaces, garnets of every color are widely celebrated.
Synthetic Garnets
Lab-created garnets, or synthetic garnets, share the same chemical structure and optical properties as natural ones. Using a process called flame fusion, powdered chemicals are dropped through a high-temperature flame, melting and falling onto a rotating pedestal to form synthetic crystals.
Natural Garnet vs. Synthetic Garnet – What’s the Difference?
The main distinction between natural and synthetic garnets lies in their origin. While natural garnets are formed in the earth over millions of years, synthetic garnets are manufactured in labs within a shorter timeframe. Both types possess identical physical and chemical attributes, including hardness, density, and appearance. Consequently, synthetic garnets closely resemble their natural counterparts.
How Can You Tell the Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Garnet?
To differentiate between natural and synthetic garnets, consider examining the hue, checking for impurities, and observing the stone’s brilliance:
- Examining the hue: Natural garnets exhibit dense, saturated hues. If the stone appears lighter, brighter, or more vivid, it may be synthetic.
- Checking for impurities: Clarity in garnets varies by type, with some varieties naturally having more inclusions than others. For instance, while most red garnets are typically eye-clean, Almandine garnets often contain asbestos fiber inclusions that create a star-like effect. Conversely, orange garnets usually have many inclusions. If a red garnet has too many inclusions or an orange garnet too few, it could indicate a synthetic stone.
- Looking at the brilliance: Garnets are renowned for their brilliance. Hold the stone up to a distant light source and examine it closely. You should see light reflecting off the stone’s inner walls. Tipping the stone on its axis and looking through it towards the light source should reveal a visible rainbow pattern. If no reflections are observed, the garnet could be an imitation.
Caring for Your Garnet Jewelry
Clean garnet jewelry with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth, like microfiber. Regularly examine your jewelry or take it to a professional jeweler for thorough cleaning and inspection, paying close attention to prongs to ensure the stone’s security. Additional tips for jewelry care include:
- Avoid exposing your gemstone to extreme heat.
- Refrain from using steam or ultrasonic treatments for cleaning.
- Protect your jewelry from chemicals and impacts by removing it during cleaning, gardening, exercising, etc.
Store jewelry in a fabric-lined box to prevent scratches.
FAQs
Is garnet a precious stone?
Gemstones other than diamonds, rubies, emeralds, or sapphires are classified as semi-precious. However, this designation does not imply they are less valuable; semi-precious stones are generally more abundant.
Are natural garnets expensive?
Garnet prices vary depending on the type and color. Rare varieties, like Tsavorite, tend to be more expensive.
What color garnet is best?
Color significantly influences a garnet’s quality. While deep red garnets are the most popular, garnets also come in orange, brown, yellow, pink, green, blue, and colorless varieties. Colors like peach, green, colorless, and blue are rarer. All garnet types are stunning choices for rings and necklaces, making excellent birthstone jewelry for those born in January.
How to check if my garnet is real?
Real garnets are identified by their saturated colors and inclusions. Using a jeweler’s loupe or a microscope to closely examine the stone for inclusions can help determine its authenticity. A lack of inclusions might indicate a synthetic garnet.
