Garnets are a related group of minerals that have been used as gemstones since the Bronze Age. Although many people associate garnet with a deep-red color, there are in fact many more colorful varieties. This broad range of colors has kept garnets popular throughout the decades, as different colors can match different clothing and trends of the time.

Background and Types of Garnet

The term ‘garnet’ refers to a specialist group of ten gemstones that each have a similar chemical composition. Gemstone grade stones have been mined in Rajasthan, India for around 200 years, as well as many locations across Africa, North America and Asia. As well as red, intense oranges, yellows and greens are some of the most popular hues. Blue is by the rarest color, and has been found sparingly in Madagascar, Russia, Turkey and the USA.

Different colors have different names. Tsarvorite is a relatively well-known green variety, whilst Spessartites are a radiant orange or reddish-brown in color. Spessartites were quite rare and well sought after by collectors until large deposits of it were discovered on the border between Namibia and Angola. The most prized type of garnet is emerald green in color and known as Demantoid.

There are several other rare and valuable types of garnets, including the Star garnet, which changes in color depending on the light source (artificial or daylight). Due to this color-change nature, garnets of this type are often mistaken for Alexandrite.

Known in the middle ages as the ‘carbuncle stone’, the gemstone has had many other names over time, and can still be found today under labels such as the ‘Arizona ruby’, the ‘Arizona spinel’ and the ‘Montana ruby’.

Uses of Garnets

Garnets are relatively insensitive, making them easy to work with. Pure crystals of garnet are used as gemstones, whilst Garnet sand is regarded as a good abrasive - making it a common replacement for silica sand in the process of sand blasting, and for using to cut steel (and other materials) in water jets. The name garnet is in fact said to originate from the Latin for ‘grain’. The chemical composition of the mineral can vary, meaning a hardness score that ranges between 6.5 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale, and it is the harder varieties are often used as abrasives.

Factors That Affect Value

The main factors that affect gemstone valuation are the ‘Four C’s’ of color, cut, clarity and carat (size), as well as geographical origin. Garnet is generally less expensive to purchase than many other gemstones, mainly due to the recent discoveries that found vast quantities in Africa.

Color is important, with blue being extremely rare and valuable. Red is the most common color and relatively affordable, with bright red the most valuable shade of this hue. A well-cut gem will reflect light and produce sparkle, and clarity is also important, with garnets that are difficult to see through likely possessing a number of flaws (inclusions). Garnets are not usually found in Sizes bigger than 4 carats, so even a small size difference can have a significant impact on the price. That said, it is believed that the largest Garnet ever discovered was found in central Australia, and measured almost 100 feet across!

Garnet Meanings and Properties

Garnets have been known to man for many thousands of years, with references in the Bible to Noah using a garnet lantern to help him steer his ark through the night. The great level of luminosity comes from the stone’s high refractive index.

Some people believe Garnet can help bring success in business, cure depression, improve self-esteem and bring friendships. Red colored garnets can help cleanse and purify a wound, and are particularly associated with the thyroid and the spleen. The gem is also popular as a protective stone and is believed to ward off evil.

Garnet is the birthstone for January, and in the US garnet is the state mineral of Connecticut and the gemstone of New York.