GARNETS: A Deeper Look into Their Meaning, Properties, and History
Meaning of Garnet
The term "Garnet" is derived from various linguistic origins. It also derives from the Old French word "grenate" and the Latin word "granatus," signifying "grain or seed." This connection to "ponum granatum," or pomegranate, related to the small red garnet stones, which closely is resembling to the red seeds of a pomegranate in terms of color, size, and shape.
Garnet Crystal Structure
Garnets is based on an isometric crystal system and belong to the category of nesosilicates. The garnet chemical composition is X3Y2(SiO4)3. Garnets manifest in various crystal habits, including the Rhombic Dodecahedron, Cubic, Trapezohedron, and Hexoctahedral. They can also be found in rounded grains and massive granular forms. Garnets exhibit a vitreous to resinous luster, lack cleavage, and range from transparent to translucent in terms of transparency. Garnet hardness is falls between 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
How Garnet Gets its Color
Trace Elements such as iron, manganese, vanadium, and chromium playing pivotal roles in producing these variations.Different types of garnets exhibit distinct color schemes, as summarized below:
- Almandine (Fe3Al2(SiO4)3): Deep red to brownish red to purplish red.
- Andradite (Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3): Yellow, orange, pink, red, brown, green, black.
- Pyrope (Mg3Al2(SiO4)3): Deep red to nearly black.
- Spessartine (Mn3Al2(SiO4)3): Yellow, orange, pink, red, brown.
- Hydrogrossular (Ca3 Al2 (SiO4)3): White, pink, green, bluish green, brown, grey.
- Grossularite (Ca3Al2(SiO4)3): White, yellow, green, pale red, pink, purple, brown, grey.
- Uvarovite (Ca3Cr2(SiO4)3): Emerald-green.
History of Garnet Stone
Garnet has been recognized as a gemstone from 5000 years, dating back to the Bronze Age. It was especially popular in Ancient Rome and in Egyptian burials, Greek and Roman ruins, and even placed in Pharaoh's tombs.
Garnet Stone as Birthstone
Garnet is a birthstone of January and its associated zodiac signs are Aquarius and Capricorn. Additionally, it's a tradition to give garnet on the second wedding anniversary.
Location of Garnet Stone - Where is it Found?
Garnet deposits can be found all over the world, with rich occurrences in various regions:
- Metamorphic Rocks: Garnet appears in metamorphic rocks altered by elevated temperature and pressure, including schist, gneiss, amphibolite, eclogite, and granulite. These occurrences are indicative of medium to high-grade metamorphism.
- Igneous Rocks: Garnet serves as an accessory mineral in igneous rocks, formed through magma solidification and high-pressure crystallization. Spessartine, for instance, is found in granite pegmatites.
- Sedimentary Rocks: Garnet is often concentrated in sedimentary rocks, making it relatively easy to extract through mechanical processes.
- Skarn Deposits: Various compositions of garnet are found in skarn deposits, typically associated with regions featuring hydrothermal activity and igneous rocks.
- Beach Sands: Garnets can also be found as erosion-resistant stones in certain coastal areas.
Buying Garnets: Value of Garnet Stones
The value of garnet stones is influenced by factors such as size, color, variety, and species.
Prices typically range from minimum $5 to $500 per carat and to $10,000 per carat.
Rare garnets like demantoid commands higher prices. Garnet stones are known for being budget-friendly and can be incorporated into jewelry designs at a reasonable cost.
Folklores and Myths about Garnet Stone
Garnets are used in various type of jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, pendants, rings and bracelets. It is because of affordability found in various colors of garnets. Symbolically, Garnets represent undying love, feminine energy, fertility and passion. The people believe that garnets have been originated from Greek Goddess of Sunshine. It is believed to give protection to the travelers. Garnets are also believed to have healing properties. They prevent hemorrhages, helps in removing negative energy and improve circulation. Garnet is called as “ Gem of Faith”. Garnets are associated with peace, prosperity and making versatile addition to the world of gemstones.
Garnet stones are popular choices for earrings, necklaces, and rings, thanks to their availability and affordability. Today, they are highly sought-after fashion accessories. Symbolically, garnets represent passion, fertility, undying love, feminine energy, commitment, trust, and strength. Legends suggest that garnet originated with the Greek Goddess of Sunshine, Persephone, and it is believed to provide protection to travelers. Garnets are also thought to possess healing properties, preventing hemorrhages, improving circulation, and aiding in the removal of negative thoughts. As the "Gem of Faith," garnets are associated with bringing peace and prosperity, making them a beautiful and versatile addition to the world of gemstones.
