Garnet jewelry has become very popular in the jewelry world as one of the alternatives to ruby. This is due to the fact that they share certain similarities such as their famous red color and smooth texture, although garnet jewelry is usually more affordable. Therefore, they are ideal for those who have a limited budget and especially if it is someone who was born in January. Since it is the birthstone of this month.
Also, garnet jewelry is considered a symbol of love, romance, and passion. Symbolism that they share with ruby jewelry, making them ideal for those who want to confess their love. However, despite their physical and symbolic similarities to ruby, garnets are gemstones in their own right. In fact, they have been venerated and coveted as such since ancient times, since magical and healing properties are also attributed to them.
If you are planning to buy garnet jewelry, here are some interesting facts that you will surely like to know. Since it is a more fascinating stone than you imagine.
What are garnets?
Garnets are a group of rock-forming minerals that produce gemstones in various shades. They are made up of several species, but they all share a common crystal structure and chemical composition. Garnets are found throughout the world in metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rocks.
Garnets get their name from the word Granatin, which is Latin for pomegranate. This is a reference to the popular red hue of garnet, similar to that of pomegranate seeds. Garnets are produced all over the world, but the main producers are: the United States, Brazil, Sri Lanka and India.
What are the types of garnet gemstones?
There is a wide range of garnet gemstones you can choose from, but almandine, rhodolite, or tsavorite are the most desired for engagement rings. To know more about each type of garnet gemstone, let’s take a look at the list below.
- Almandine: Almandine is the most popular and well-known variety of garnet gemstones. Also known as precious garnet, this gemstone has a deep, rich red to purple color.
- Demantoid: Demantoid comes in shades of green and has a brilliant light that sometimes exceeds the brilliance of diamonds. It can transform white light into a rainbow colored prism.
- Grossular: Grossular Garnet, also known as hessonite, occurs in various shades of green. This light colored gemstone is an excellent choice for vibrant jewelry.
- Mali Garnet: Mali garnet is a cross between the grossular and almandine varieties. These gemstones can be yellow, brown, green-yellow, or green-brown.
- Compliment: Pyrope garnets come in a wide range of red hues. Some are a deep blood red, while others are a black red. There are also some Pyrope gemstones that can change color.
- Rhodolite: A rhodolite garnet is a variety of pyrope and appears in shades of red-violet. It is admired and appreciated for its unique color.
- Spessartine: This type of garnet is usually found in shades of orange-brown. It is quite rare and is hardly used in ornaments or jewelry.
- Tsavorite: Tsavorite is a very rare and valuable type of garnet that appears in a specific shade of green. This stunning and beautiful gemstone is suitable for all types of jewelry.
- Uvarovite : Uvarovite is a very rare gemstone that has a deep, dark green hue. Their crystals are usually too small to carve or carve.
How expensive are garnets?
The price and value of a garnet depends on its color, size, clarity, and cut. Common red garnet stones can be purchased for less than $100, with some lower quality garnets as low as $10 per carat. On the other hand, high quality rare garnets can go up to $1000-$5000 per carat. This price disparity is due to the wide range of garnet varieties.
What is the most valuable color for garnet gemstones?
Garnets get their color from various impurities and minerals that are present in them. Its color can change depending on the type of impurities present, such as iron, vanadium or manganese.
The garnet family comes in a prism of colors, with red being the most common and recognized type. But they can also come in shades of yellow, orange, purple, pink, brown, and black.
On the other hand, certain varieties of garnet also change color when viewed under different lighting conditions. So they will have a color when we see them under natural light, but this will change when seen under incandescent light.
Although all shades are unique and desirable, however, when it comes to the most valuable variety, blue garnet takes the top spot. In fact, blue garnet is the fourth rarest gemstone in the world and its price per carat can be as high as $1.5 million. That, if we compare it with an average price of 6,000 dollars per carat of diamonds, we can have a clear view of how rare and valuable blue garnet is.
Garnet vs ruby jewels
Garnets are sometimes identical to rubies, making it hard to tell them apart. There are a couple of methods to evaluate this gemstone, such as looking for double refraction within the gemstone or checking its hardness score. However, if you are unsure, we recommend that you seek professional advice as it can be difficult to distinguish garnet jewelery from ruby pieces.
What happens if a garnet gemstone is heat treated?
Gemstones are usually heat treated to improve their clarity and color. However, this does not usually work with garnets. Garnet gemstones cannot withstand intense heat, and if exposed to it, they can lose their shine and become damaged. Sometimes only the demantoids are heat treated, but generally the garnets found on the market are natural.
How to care for garnet jewelry?
Garnet has a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, which is less than the hardness of other more popular gemstones such as diamonds or sapphires. However, garnet jewelry is quite sturdy and durable, but in order for it to last long, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned and properly maintained.
Ideally, you should clean garnets with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. You may choose to clean garnet jewelry in ultrasonic cleaners, but make sure the gemstones are free of fractures. However, do not use steam cleaning on garnet gemstones, as the heat can damage the stones.
What to avoid:
- Avoid exposure to excessive rough use or wear.
- Garnet jewelry should be removed if your fingers are exposed to harsh chemicals.
- Do not store garnets with other gemstones, as this can create friction and cause scratching.
- Avoid steam cleaners or exposure to intense heat.
- Remove garnet jewelry when swimming in chlorinated pools.
- Always put on garnet jewelry last, after applying lotions, makeup, perfume, and hairspray.