Garnet

Garnet is not a single mineral but a group of closely related silicate minerals that share the same crystal structure but differ in their chemical make-up. The most important gem species are pyrope, almandine and spessartine, and grossular, andradite and uvarovite. Garnets occur in almost every colour, although deep red is by far the most familiar and is the colour most people associate with the name.

Well-known varieties include pyrope (deep blood red), almandine (red to purplish red), rhodolite (raspberry pink to purple), spessartine (orange, including bright "mandarin" garnet), hessonite (cinnamon to honey brown), tsavorite (vivid green, from Kenya and Tanzania) and demantoid (bright green with strong fire, from Russia). Rare colour-change garnets alter from green or blue in daylight to red or purple under incandescent light; blue is the rarest garnet colour.

The name comes from the Latin "granatum", referring to the pomegranate, whose red seeds look like small garnet crystals. Garnets have been used since the Bronze Age. Red garnets were the most common gemstones of the late Roman world and were set in gold in the cloisonne jewellery of the Anglo-Saxons, including the treasures of Sutton Hoo. Bohemian garnet (red pyrope from the Czech Republic) was hugely popular in Victorian jewellery.

Garnets are generally untreated. Because they are durable and available in many colours and sizes, they are widely used for faceted stones, cabochons and beads.

Garnet at a glance

Caring for garnet

Most garnets are fairly hard (6.5 – 7.5 on the Mohs scale) and suitable for everyday jewellery, but they can chip with hard knocks. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush, then dry. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe for untreated stones without fractures, but avoid steam cleaning and sudden temperature changes. Store separately from harder gems such as sapphire and diamond.

In folklore

The beliefs below are traditional folklore, included for interest. They are not scientifically proven, and nothing here is medical advice.

Garnet has long been a talisman for travellers, who carried it to protect themselves from accidents and to light the way at night. Legend says that Noah used a glowing garnet to guide the ark through the dark. Crusaders wore garnets for protection in battle, and some Asian warriors used garnet bullets in the belief that they would cause more harm. Garnet is also associated with the Greek myth of Persephone and the pomegranate seeds. It is the birthstone for January and the gift for a 2nd wedding anniversary, and is associated with the zodiac signs Capricorn and Aquarius.

Garnet is traditionally considered a stone of energy, passion and commitment. Crystal healing lore holds that it revitalises and balances energy, boosts courage and confidence, and encourages love and devotion. It is also said to inspire success in business and to protect the wearer during travel. Red garnet is linked to the root chakra.

Related stones

Garnet species and varieties: pyrope, almandine, rhodolite, spessartine, grossular, hessonite, tsavorite, andradite, demantoid, melanite, uvarovite and colour-change garnet. Stones that can look similar include ruby, red spinel, red tourmaline (rubellite), zircon and red glass; green garnets can resemble emerald and peridot.

For the technically minded

Shop garnet beads

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