Historically, gemstones were valued for color, with terms like “carbuncle” used for red gems, often almandine garnets. Over time, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires were labeled "precious" for their rarity, while garnets were deemed "semiprecious." However, recent garnet discoveries in Africa and a growing demand for vibrant colors have renewed interest in these stones.

Types of Garnet

There are over 20 garnet species, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), but only five are commercially important as gems: pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular and andradite.

Garnets are a complex group, even within those categories. The orange to brownish-red variety is called hessonite, the milder mint-green is termed grossular, and the extremely saturated electric-green variety is called tsavorite. Certain garnets, such as rhodolite, which is a combination of pyrope and almandine, can be a blend of two or more species.

Aside from chemical composition, several sought-after hues have special terminology in the profession. The transparent, electric-orange spessartines are known as Fanta garnets, while the bright-orange spessartines are called Mandarin.

History:

As simple as a pomegranate seed (Latin root-word Granatium which means Pomegranate) with royal lineage that can been traced back through the sands of time. Entombed by the Pharoh’s of Egypt, a symbol of life, nobility, power and grace.
These small red crystals can be traced back almost 5000 years. Garnets were used in jewellery and carvings as early as 3100 BC.  They were used by Romans in signet rings to stamp wax on important documents and also as talismans for protection. 

Often referred to as the birthstone for the month of January, garnets have been revered and adorned by many royal figures, the most significant of them being the Roseborg Tiara made in early 1930’s for Eleanor Margaret Green, The Countess of Rosenborg, for her marriage to Prince Viggo of Denmark. The kokoshnik-stylist tiara, a design inspired by traditional Russian headdress, was part of the extended Danish royal family’s vault until 2014, when it was auctioned off for more than $275,000. 

WOW FACT!!
The largest polished garnet is from the city of Orissa in India. It is a 5696-carat Fabergé-esque egg sculpture carved by Manfred Wild in 2014 This beautiful piece was estimated to be around $300,000 to $400,000 but was never officially sold.

Mohs Scale: 

Garnets typically have a hardness of 6.5–7.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This makes them moderately hard and resistant to scratches, but more susceptible to abrasions than harder gemstones.

Chemical Composition:

The main components include mainly Silicon (Si), Oxygen (O). Various metal elements like Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Aluminum (Al), and Manganese (Mn) are also present in different varieties of the gemstone.

 

How to Buy Garnet Jewelry?

Color

A garnet’s color is its most crucial characteristic. This gemstone is available in nearly every hue, from deep reds and fiery oranges to vivid greens and even rare blues. Green garnets, such as tsavorite and demantoid, are the most valuable, while color-change garnets exhibit a fascinating shift under different lighting conditions.

Cut

Garnet is a versatile gemstone that can be cut into various shapes, including oval, round, cushion, pear, and emerald cuts. Faceted cuts enhance brilliance, while cabochon cuts highlight the stone’s deep, rich tones. Rare and expensive garnets are often cut to maximize carat weight while maintaining their beauty.

Clarity

Most garnets have excellent clarity, with minimal visible inclusions. However, some varieties, like demantoid garnets, may feature unique "horsetail" inclusions, which are highly prized by collectors. Spessartine and rhodolite garnets usually have good transparency, while darker varieties may appear more opaque.

Character

Each garnet variety has distinct characteristics that set it apart. Color-change garnets shift hues depending on lighting, demantoid garnets display exceptional fire, and spessartine garnets have an intense, vibrant orange glow. These unique traits make garnets a fascinating choice for jewelry lovers.