Everything you ever wanted to know about Garnet Gems
When most people hear the name Garnet they think red. But Garnets are more then just a cheap red gemstone. Garnets can come in a wide variety of colors and some can be quite valuable. This guide is a comprehensive look at many different kinds of Garnets and their individual properties.
History
Garnets have been around a very long time. Dating back to Bible, Noah, it is reported, used a lantern of Garnet in order to safely steer The Ark through the darkness of night. Garnets were known to have been used in 3100 B.C. by Egyptian artisans who created beautiful garnet beads, bracelets and other jewelry. They also used crushed Garnets as an abrasive. The ancient Chinese are said to have used Garnets as bullets! But Garnets did not reach their heyday until the late19th century when Victorian women were practically dripping in Garnet jewelry.
Victorian Jewelry provided by jewelcollect01
Garnet Bracelet and ring
Garnet Bracelet German Eagle Brooch provided by trinkettrauma
Garnet Brooch
Types of Garnet
Garnets are actually one of the largest families of gemstones. Most natural garnets are mixtures of two or more of the following pure species.
ALMANDINE Fe3Al2(SiO4)3 reddish brown to brownANDRADITE Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3 brown, black or green
GROSSULAR Ca3Al2(SiO4)3 colorless, orange or green
PYROPE Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 dark red to ruby red
SPESSARTINE Mn3Al2(SiO4)3 orange, pink or brown
UVAROVITE Ca3Cr2(SiO4)3 green
Common Garnet varieties:
Pyrope (also called Bohemian garnet, or Cape ruby) is the best know of all garnets. This gem is a deep rich red. This gem is very inexpensive.
Rhodolite: Raspberry red to dark bubble gem pink. Prices are nicely affordable.
Umbalite: Pink to peachy pink. Hard to find and can be costly.
Hessonite: Rich burnt orange to reddish orange. These can get pricey for gems over 1 carat in size.
Spessartite: Red with flashes of orange. Can be dark with brown undertones. Medium price range
Mandarine: Fantastic bright orange. Rare and pricey.
Mali: medium green-yellow (chartreuse) color
Tsavorite: Bright green. These gems are becoming extremely popular and prices continues to rise. Tsavorite is usually not found in large sizes. Gems above 2 carats are rare and can run into the thousands of dollars.
Demantoid: Light green, yellow green, yellow brown. Not found in large sizes. Gems above 2 carats are rare and can run into many thousands of dollars.
Color Change Garnets
Less expensive alternative to Alexandrite
Color change Garnets are in a class all by themselves. They are rare and highly sought after. Color change Garnets have sold for as much as $6,000 per carat! Most color change Garnets on the market today are from Bekily, Madagascar, Tunduru, Tanzania. and Ceylon (Sri Lanka).The Madagascar material goes from a raspberry red to a bluish gray. The Tanzanian material goes from a raspberry red to a teal blue color.
The Ceylon (Sri Lanka) gems change from reddish purple in incandescent to blue, green, gray in daylight.
Ideally, you are looking for a 100% color change with two pleasing colors. In reality, you will only find a lower percentage color change. 40% to 70% if you are lucky enough to find a natural color change gem. The more vivid the colors of a color change, the more valuable the gemstone.
To appreciate the full range of color change in these stones, one needs to observe the stones under early morning light, fluorescent light, late afternoon sunlight, and incandescent light.
Be advised there are many lab created and synthetic color change gems on the market. 100% color change is extremely rare in natural gems. Buy only from reputable dealers and verify with an independent source.
Rhodolite Garnet
Beautiful Rhodolite Garnet
Rhodolite is mixture of approximately two to one (pyrope to almandine. The gem has an attractive red-lavender color when cut as a gemstone.Some say the name rhodolite comes from the Greek word, rhodon, meaning rose.
Tsavorite Garnet
Nice Tsavorite Trillion
Discovered in 1967 Tsavorite is everything an Emerald wished it was.Intense green color, with good hardness for durability.
The color range of the tsavorite includes a springlike light green, an intense blue-green and a deep forest green
Only in rare individual cases is a raw Tsavorite crystal of over 5 carats found, so a cut Tsavorite of more than two carats is extreamly rare.
Tsavorite is named after its only source, the Tsavo Valley in Kenya. It is the chromium colored, green variety of grossular.
Umbalite Garnet
Beautiful Umbalite Garnet Pear
Rare Garnet Found only in the Umba valley.A mixture of pyrope-almandite, with traces of spessartite garnet, light pink/purple in color.
What to look for when buying Garnets.
Orange Hessonite Garnet Octagon cut Squares
Cut: Garnets come in a way of array of shapes and sizes.Size: Garnets are easily found in sizes up to 10 carats. Larger gems are available but you will pay a premium for gem over 10 carats.
Clarity: Garnet should be flawless or only have a few inclusions. Demantoid Garnets are the exception, they are almost always included.
Cost: Garnet can cost a few pennies for a pyrope to a few thousand for a Demantoid.
Care: Garnets are hearty and can take a daily wear. Clean with a dry soft cloth.
Treatments: Garnets are not normally heated or enhanced in any way.
Source: Garnets are quite plentiful and can be found and many location throughout the world including: Kenya, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Canada and USA. In USA garnet has been obtained in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Florida, California and Virginia. The majority of today's Garnet supplies come from Africa. Notable quantities of garnets have been also found in Czech Republic and Spain. The oranges and browns of Spessartite and Hessonite hail from Namibia and Sri Lanka.
Hessonite Garnet
Round Faceted Hessonite Garnets
Hessonite is the Orange variety of grossular garnet.The color is brownish-orange and is often called "cinnamon stone".
Hesssonite is a Orange-brown, cinnamon colored due to the presence of manganese.
Hessonite contains very distinct honey-like inclusions.
Hessonite is from a Greek word meaning inferior. This refers to it having less hardness than other garnets.
Pyrope Garnet
Marquise Faceted Pyrope Garnets
Pyrope comes from a Greek word meaning "fire like."Pyrope is the only garnet that is always a shade of red.
Pyrope garnet is colored a deep blood red by iron and chromium, giving a ruby like appearance.
Demantoid Garnet
2mm round cut Demantiod Garents
The demantoid is one of the most brilliant gemstones that exist, yet until recently it was little known except among collectors and gemstone lovers.The spectrum of its colours includes many shades of green, from a slightly yellowish green to a brownish green with a golden glow.
Dematoid comes from the French, "demant," meaning diamond. The reason is obvious, with its high brilliance and dispersion. Dematoid garnets are a green variety of andradite. They are known for their golden, "horsetail" inclusions.
Grossular: Pure white Garnet
Near Flawless Grossular Garnet
Members of the Grossular family of Garnets are very light in color ranging from colorless, or near colorless with just a hint of green or orange. Extreamly rare Star Garnet.
Picture of Star Garnet and text provided by astynax77
Star Garnets are rare, and mostly Almandine, though a few are classified as Rhodolite. The rarest are the 6-ray, which come almost exclusively from Idaho (I've seen some claiming to be from Africa, but haven't found any verification of that source) The 6-ray variety is extremely rare, and the sole deposit in Idaho is nearly depleted.Star Garnet was adopted as the "State Gemstone" for Idaho in 1967.
Other information about Garnets
Checkerboard cut double sided Mozambique Garnet
Birthstone for the month of January.The name's origin: Garnets were so called by the ancient Greeks since color reminded them of the pomegranate seed or geranium.
Healing Properties: Garnet is an excellent assistance for blood deficiency diseases. It is said to stimulates bloodstream and pituitary gland, relieves rheumatism and arthritis pain. Garnet combats depression and lethargy. Garnet also stimulates the spleen. Garnet protects against depression and impure thoughts. Cures fevers and promotes good health.
Mystical power: It is said Garnet is a good luck stone and should be carried close to the body. Its energy is balancing and peaceful. This stone of passion stimulates the sexual drive. Garnet gives energy and courage. It is said to encourage robust good health and sexual desire, enhance the wearer's imagination. Garnet symbolizes fire, faith, courage, truth, grace, compassion, constancy and fidelity. It also offers protection to the traveler.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is red to reddish purple and sometimes a deep enough red to appear black.
Luster is vitreous.
Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is isometric; 4/m bar 3 2/m
Crystal Habits include the typical rhombic dodecahedron. also seen is the 24 sided trapezohedron. Combinations of these forms are common and sometimes the rare faces of the hexoctahedron, a 48 sided crystal habit that rarely is seen by itself, can also combine with these other forms making very attractive, complex and multifaceted crystals. Massive and granular occurrences are also common.
Cleavage is absent.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 7 - 7.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.6 (above average for translucent minerals)
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals are olivine, serpentine, biotite, hornblende, augite, pyroxenes and diamond.
Other Characteristics: index of refraction is 1.73
Notable Occurrences include localities in Europe; Arizona and New Mexico, USA; South Africa and several Australian sites.
Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, color, hardness and enviroment.
Like the gems you have seen?
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Dig Your Own Garnets
Places in the US were you can, for free or a small fee, dig for your own Garnets.
#1The Garnet Hill Recreation Area near Ely, Nevada.
Open to the public and the cost...FREE!
This is a intermediate to advanced level of experience mine.
The Garnet Hill rock hound recreation area in White Pine County is located about 4 miles Northwest of Central Ely in the Eagan mountain range. The major access road to this area joins US Highway 50 about 6.4 miles West of the traffic signal at US 395 and US 50 junction in Ely.
You will need to bring your own equipment.
Gloves, hat , rock hammers, chisels, pick axe and bucket. Remember lots of drinking water!
Click here for Pictures of the garnets crystals and a map to the area
#2
The Emerald Creek garnet area in northern Idaho.
(The Star Garnet seen above is from this area)
Only open in the summer from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
HOURS: 9 AM -to- 5PM, Friday thru Tuesday. CLOSED Wednesdays & Thursdays
Cost: Permits are $10 for an adult, $5.00 for children under 14 .
This is a beginner to intermediate level experience.
Each person is limited to six days per year or 30 pounds of garnets, whichever comes first.
All of the equipment is now be provided so you will not have to bring your own and pack it up the gulch.
For more information contact.
ST. JOE RANGER DISTRICT
222 S. 7th Str, Suite 1
St. Maries, Idaho ~ 83861
208) 245~2531 or Clarkia (208) 245~1134
#3
The Pigeon Forge Gem Mine in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
This is a beginner level experience great for people with kids. You and search the mine for rubies, emeralds, garnets, and more. Everyone is guarantee to find something.
Once you find your gems, you can have your gems assayed to see they are worth. You can also have your gems cut or faceted. They even have settings so you can have your gems made into jewelry.
Equipment provided.
For more information about the Pigeon Forge Gem Mine click here
#4
Mason Mountain Mine and Cowee Gift Shop
Located in Franklin, North Carolina
This is a beginner to intermediate level experience.
MINING FEES
No Entry Fee:
Adult - $0.00
Children under 12 - $0.00
General run bucket: $5.00 each
Specialty bags: $30.00 - in 6 categories
Super buckets: $30.00, $50.00, $100.00 and $300.00
ULTIMATE BUCKETS (6 of them): $500.00
Call 828-524-4570
More Minning information
There are hundreds of mines that are open to the public throughout the United States mining every kind of gem imaginableFrom beginner level mining for the whole family, to advanced do it your self swing a pickaxe good old time get dirty fun.
Everyone can experience the thrill of discovery and treasure hunting.
For a list of mines that may be near you
click here.
Franklin, North Carolina has so many mines they have their own web site.
Guide to Gem Mining in the Franklin, North Carolina Area!
Check out our new location!
- Natural 3.32 ct Dark Red Spessartite Garnet Oval 9x7mm gem just $20.00
- Dark Red Orange
- Huge Natural 13 x 10.7mm Checkerboard Oval cut Rhodolite Garnet gem 9.41 Ct just $50.00
- Dark Purple Red
- Natural 5mm Hexagon cut Mozambique Garnet gems stones $10.00 each
- Dark Orange Red with flashes of bright red
- Natural 6.5mm Hexagon cut Mozambique Garnet gem 1.35 Ct $15.00
- Dark Orange Red with flashes of bright red
- Natural 3.02 ct Bright Red Spessartite Garnet Oval 9x7mm gem
- Stunning gem! Dark Red with flashes of bright Red Orange!
- Natural 9x6mm Radiant Octagon cut Mozambique Garnet gem 2.05 Ct $35.00
- Dark Red Orange with tons of sparkle and flash!
New: One of a kind Sterling Silver and Garnet Cross
1920's/1930's earrings with Pyrope Garnets
Garnets set in 10k Gold Brouch late Victorian era
Handmade Victorian 22 K gold ring with Garnets
Demantoid Garnet Jewelry
A Georgian pansy necklace
A Victorian Halley's Comet brooch:
Victorian snake with cabochon Garnets
Gold belt buckle with Garnet Cabochons
Donated by ebay seller Jewelcollect01
Garnet and seed pearl honeymoon pin, marked 9ct Gold
These were often given as gifts from a husbands to thier new brides back in the late 1800's.
Garnets are considered good luck and are believe to protect travelers. Hence why they were given as a honeymoon gift.
The Carat Farm
Over 10,000 gems priced under $5.00
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Garnets are gorgeous. I am also very partial to Tanzanite, which has been making some real waves of late! Posted June 30, 2008 |
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Excellent Lens. I like the quality insight you have provided here about Comprehensive guide to various kinds of Garnet gems. Keep up the good work. Posted June 26, 2008 |
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Links to other great gem information
Information and pictures of a wide variety of gems
- Comprehensive guide to buying Citrine gemstones
- Citrine is the yellow or orange version of Quartz.
Quartz its self is very common but yellow quartz found in natural is rare. Most Citrines on the market today are actually heat treated Amethyst or Smokey Quartz. These heat-treated gems are a much darker and brighter color then the pale yellow Citrines found in nature. These Citrines produced by artificial means tend to have much more of an orange or reddish caste to them making them more appealing to the buying public. - Sapphires
- When most people hear the word Sapphire they think Blue, but Sapphires come in every color of the Rainbow except red. Red Sapphires are Rubies.
Sapphires can come in pure white, looking very much like a Diamond to almost black which is called Midnight Blue Sapphire. In the past few years Pink Sapphires have become very popular. Now Canary Yellow and Orange are the new HOT colors - Zircon a beauiful natural gem not to be confused with CZ's
- The Beautiful Zircon gems' reputation has suffered for the past 30 years due to the introduction of a diamond simulant Cubic Zirconia. A natural mined from the earth Zircon Gem is NOT the same material as the artificial gem material Cubic Zirconia (or CZ). However due to their extreme brilliance Zircons have been used as a diamond substitute both for innocent and nefarious reasons for hundreds of years. Zircon resembles diamond in luster and fire. Colorless zircons can be mistaken for diamonds even by experienced jewelers. Keeping this in mind Zircons can make a very attractive and affordable alternative to Diamonds.
- Opals
- Amazing lens all about Opals. You think you know Opals, I bet there are some on this lens you have never seen before!
Tons of information and stunning pictures of all kinds of Opals. - Comprehensive guide to buying Amethyst
- Everyting you ever wanted to know about Amethyst.
Tons of information and fantastic pictures. - Comprehensive Guide to buying Alexandrite gems
- Alexandrite is one of the most fascinating and expensive gems in the world. This lens hads all kinds of information about Alexandrite and even has some of this rare gem for sale.
- Emeralds
- Comprehensive guide to buying Emeralds
Everything you ever wanted to know about Emeralds and more. Tons of great pictures! Lots of infor mation and Emeralds for sale too. - The Fascinating world of Spinel gems
- Spinel is known as the great imposter because has often confused with Rubies and Sapphires. "The Black Prince Ruby" in the English Crown Jewels is a perfect example of a Spinel mistaken for a Ruby. The Black Prince RubyIs actually a 170 carat un-cut Spinel gem. Those who have see
- Rubies
- History Rubies are one of the most expensive and sought after of all gems. Rubies have been loved for thousands of years. In ancient India, stories circulated that God created the Ruby and then created men to own it. The Emperor of India loved Rubies so much that whenever a spectacular Ruby crystal
- Sphene: The Green Gold Gem
- The use of sphene as this mineral's name has been discredited by the International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names (CNMMN); Titanite is the approved name. However, Sphene persists as the informal name for titanite gemstones.
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