Known since antiquity, red garnets date back thousands of years. In excavations of cave dwellers in Czechoslovakia red pyrope garnet was used in garnet necklaces, and indicates the use of garnet during the Bronze Age. Other findings include bead work in Egypt before 3100 B.C., and Sweden between 2000 and 1000 B.C..

The wide variety and colors of garnets can be easily compared to a fruit market. The color of each garnet varies with species, due to the minor substitutions of transition elements. Garnet comes in every color, not just red, and there have been many new discoveries of a wide variety of Garnets in the last few decades, including Tsavorite (a green grossular garnet), Malaya Garnet, ( a mixture of pyrope and spessartite garnet) and most recently, a bright orange pink to orange red variety called Imperial garnet, a combination of pyrope and spessartite from the Lindi Province, in Southeastern, Tanzania.

A more accurate description of each garnet would be to break them down into the terms of six limiting members of the group of silicate minerals they belong to. This would be Almandite, Pyrope, Spessartite, Grossular, Uvarovite and Andradite.

ALMANDITE GARNET

Almandite Garnet Mg3Al2(siO4)3 is commonly found in metamorphic rocks, but also in pegmatite’s and igneous rocks, and in Pliny’s time they were often confused with other red gems, known as Carbunculus “red coal” During this time, near the town of Alabanda in Asia Minor (Turkey) was a trading and cutting center for these gems. Thus they were called Carbunculus Alabandicus, which eventually became Almandite.

Almandite Garnet in most cases contains various amounts of pyrope and spessartite garnet in its chemical make up. The most common of the mixtures of almandite pyrope, in gem form, would be Rhodolite, or Umbalite Garnet, depending on its shade of color. Rhodolite garnet is generally a shade of purple red, while Umbalite garnet generally contains more pyrope, thus giving it a lighter, more pink/purple color. The nearly pure form of Almandite has been referred to as Rose Almandite, while the mixture of Almandite and spessartite, generally is a red orange color, and has been called simply Almandite Spessartite garnet..

Almandite garnet has been considered a cure for melancholy, and has been regarded as a gem of faith, truth and constancy.

PYROPE GARNET

Pyrope garnet Fe3Al2 (SIO4)3 are typically found in Kimberlites, but is also found in pegmatite’s. They were also used during Pliny’s time and derive their name from the late Greek puropos, meaning “fire” and opos, meaning “appearance”. The earlier finds of Pyrope garnet was mined near Trebenice, in the Kimberlites in Bohemia. They have also been referred to as Bohemian Garnets. Recently, ruby red pyrope garnets have been found in Arizona, in New South Wales in Australia, and in many other countries.

Like ruby, pyrope owes its color to the substitution of chromium for aluminum. A mixture of pyrope with spessartite can form the gemstone referred to as Malaya garnet or Imperial garnet. Both of these gems can be confused with each other, although the imperial garnets seem to possess microscopic rutile needles, and should be considered only coming from the deposits in Southeastern Tanzania, and its connection with the mines in Southwestern Madagascar. It is quite possible that the Imperial garnets from both locations share similar geological conditions in light of their close proximity before Madagascar separated from Tanzania.

Pyrope Garnets have been worn as a talisman that will keep their wearers safe from harm, and has also been credited with stemming the flow of blood. Even today, fighting men from the Middle East and Asia are more than likely to carry a talisman of Pyrope garnet into battle. It has also been used more recently as a trust charm when worn in a business transaction.

SPESSARTITE GARNET

Spessartite garnets Mn3Al2(SIO4)3 my be formed in metamorphic formations, but is typically found in Granitic pegmatite’s, and often in alluvial gem bearing gravels in Brazil, Burma, Sri Lanka, Mozambique and Nigeria., among other localities. The name originates from the mountain Spessart in Germany, where the first know occurrence of this gem is recorded.

Spessartite Garnet always has the presence of iron, and ranges in color form bright mandarin orange color, to deeper red orange color, depending on the amount of iron present. Generally the deeper the gem is towards the red color, the more iron appears to be present. As stated earlier, spessartite garnet can form a mixture with Pyrope and these are generally referred to as either Malaya Garnets and Imperial Garnets, or as a mixture of Almandite, they are simply referred to as Almandite-Spessartite garnets.

Spessartite garnets are considered good luck to be given as a gift, with the belief that they are useful in warding off bad dreams and as a protection from theft. Also, given as a gift, garnet is said to confer upon its new owner the dual gifts of loyalty and constant affection. Early Spanish astrologers showed spessartite garnet representing the sun, while the Koran teaches that it illuminates the fourth heaven.

GROSSULAR GARNET

Grossular Garnet Ca3Al2 (SiO4)3 is a product of metamorphism of clay rich limestone. Gem grossular is found in the gem bearing gravels of Sri Lanka, Switzerland and Tunduru Tanzania, along with the finely formed crystals of hessonite from Quebec, Canada (Tan orange to red orange hessonite garnet containing manganese and iron). In Tsavo National Park in Kenya green grossular garnet has been found (Tsavorite) Also in Tanzania, Grossular Garnet has been found along with Tanzanite in the mines in the Merelani Hills in Tanzania (in colors of yellow to green caused by Vanadium) The massive green variety, which may contain up to 5% water, is called Hydro Grossular Garnet, and can be found as large as a boulder.

Grossular Garnet is an aluminum-calcium garnet, its name comes from the Latin grossularia, meaning “gooseberry” because of its appearance. Some of the aluminum in Grossular structure may be replaced by vanadium, usually producing a yellow green to dark green gem. When the color is considered deep enough green it is considered Tsavorite, named after the Tsavo National Park in Kenya. Some of the aluminum in Grossular may also be replaced by ferrous iron, producing orange yellow to brown red gems. These gems are referred to as Hessonite garnets.

Grossular Garnets are considered to bring prosperity, to calm the heart, and to bring peace and tranquility to the person who is in possession of it. It has also been said to instill self esteem. It helps one to retain the joyfulness of self love.

UVAROVITE GARNET

An extremely rare form of garnet, Uvarovite Ca3Cr2 (SiO4)3 is essentially a mineralogical specimen. This Chromium bearing calcic garnet was named after Count Uvarov, the former president of the Saint Petersburg Academy of Science. Found primarily in Finland, but also in Russia, California, and South Africa, they are formed in association with Serpentine and Ultrabasic rocks.

Uvarovite is considered the only consistently green garnet, and is usually found in either small crystals of 12 rhombic or 24 trapezoidal faces.

Sources say that this Green Garnet is a gemstone of good fortune in the matters of finances. It is also said to awaken compassion and charity.

ANDRADITE GARNET

A ferrocalcic garnet, Andradite Garnet Ca3Fe2 (SiO4)3 was named after J.B. d’Andrada, a Brazilian Mineralogist, who described the variety in 1800. There are 3 types of Andradite garnet, Demantoid, Melanite, and Topazolite.

Demantoid garnet is found exclusively in chromium rich serpentines, with the most beautiful gems coming from an alluvial deposit in the Ural Mountains. Other deposits include Africa, Korea and Italy, but most of these locations do not contain enough chromium to give them the rich green color found in the Russian gems. The name Demantoid is derived from the Flemish Demant (“diamond”) from the stones high luster and fire.

Considered for ages to bring prosperity to those who wear it, it has also been known as a gemstone that will bring you safe passage thru life. It can bring a peaceful environment to the carrier, and can dissipate agitation and turmoil.

Melanite Garnet is a metamorphic mineral, and is a black titanium variety of Andradite. Found in Italy, California, and Kazakhstan, it is primarily used as a mineral specimen, or used in its natural form as a crystal in jewelry. It offers a good resistance to scratches, having a hardness of 6.5 to 7 in hardness. Melanite is named for its color from the Greek Melas, meaning “black”

This Black Garnet is often used as a remembrance of a past love, and is said to help in the understanding of troubling times. It also acts to teach optimism in attaining ones independence.

Topazolite Garnet is another variety of Andradite, but differs from the Demantoid Garnet in its yellow color, which is similar to Topaz. It can vary from greenish yellow in color to yellowish brown in color. This garnet has been found in Russia, the Italian Alps, Switzerland, and California.

This Yellow Garnet is said to be a protector of small children, or frail individuals. It is also said that it can eliminate mental, emotional and spiritual chaos.

As I discovered while writing this article, there is still much research to be done on the metaphysical aspects of each type of garnet. We do know that Garnet is the stone associated as the birthstone for January, and can be easily worn in Jewelry because of its toughness. We also know that garnet comes in a wide variety of colors, and many different types of garnet can mix and match with each other. To me they are all natures’ fruits, ones to be enjoyed and savored not only for their beauty, but also for their spiritual aid.

Please click a Garnet category below.