Rough Garnet

The name Garnet is derived from the seeds of the pomegranate tree because of its color resemblance to red garnet. Garnet is widely used as a gem, the most common color of Garnet is red, the most usual tones being tinged with brown, yellow, and violet. This fiery gemstone also comes in brown, green, yellow, purple, and even black. Garnet is also considered a 'warrior stone'. In ancient times it is believed to protect one from wounds during battle. In many cultures, Garnet was treated as a sacred stone and is also admired as a stone of truth and commitment.



Rough Garnet Description:

The name Garnet is derived from the seeds of the pomegranate tree because of its color resemblance to red garnet. Garnet is widely used as a gem, the most common color of Garnet is red, the most usual tones being tinged with brown, yellow, and violet. This fiery gemstone also comes in brown, green, yellow, purple, and even black. Garnet is also considered a 'warrior stone' In ancient times it is believed to protect one from wounds during battle. In many cultures, Garnet was treated as a sacred stone and is also admired as a stone of truth and commitment.

General Information:

Varieties Almandine Garnet, Andradite Garnet, Grossular Garnet, Pyrope Garnet, Spessartine Garnet, Uvarovite Garnet
Chemical Formula X3 Z2 (SiO4)3 X = Ca, Fe, etc Z = Al, Cr, etc
Lustre Subadamantine, Vitreous
Mohs Hardness 6.5 – 7.5
Specific Gravity 3.55 to 4.33
Fracture Conchoidal

Crystallography of Garnet Group

Crystal System Isometric
Habit Trapezohedral, dodecahedral, massive

Garnet COLOR:

Garnet is one of the most diverse gemstones in terms of colors, ranging from greens to soft intense yellow, as well as orange and earth colors. The color tends to have a significant impact on Garnet’s value. Darker shades usually tend to be less valuable than brighter colors. Nowadays, the market trends indicate that the greener colors, such as Demantoid and Tsavorite, are more highly valued than the standard red color. Tsavorite is often compared to emeralds, given the similarity in color. A higher dispersion and higher refractive index tend to give the tsavorite a crisper look compared to most emeralds of similar quality. Furthermore, Garnets are not brittle, do not chip easily, and are considered better candidates for jewelry.
Color Colorless, yellow, yellow-green, green, red, pinkish red, pale pink, violet-red, brown, black
Transparency Transparent, Translucent

Garnet CLARITY:

Garnets are relatively hard stones and hence fairly easy to work with; they have excellent refractive properties, and so a skilled cutter can bring out the pure brilliance of the stone. They are typically purchased 'eye-clean' or favorably in terms of clarity. For example, the existence of obvious inclusions can reduce the value of a Tsavorite Garnet in a faceted cut by roughly half. Usually, any included stones are cut in cabochon; they exhibit great color and brilliance. There are rare cases where the clarity of the gem is not of primary concern.

Garnet CUT:

As with all facet grade stones, the cutter’s skill makes a huge difference in the polished product. Someone who knows how to maximize light while evading large dull windows in the stones will craft a much higher quality stone with the same rough as someone who is new and still learning this craft. Many facet-grade garnets are cut into conventional shapes and sizes to allow a secure setting in jewelry. Expensive fine-quality garnets like tsavorite are cut into shapes and cutting styles that will enable more carat to be retained from the rough. Garnets come in a variety of cutting styles and shapes. Demantoid is often cut to exact dimensions that allow the best possible representation of its fire. It is also popular for designer cuts and carvings. Red garnets are excellent for cutting into cabochons and beads. They are generally found to have tremendous clarity and to be very transparent.

Garnet CARAT:

Garnets can be found in all weights and sizes. Some garnets, like tsavorite and demantoid, are more commonly found in small sizes, so their value goes up significantly with size. Stones under one carat tend to be widely available and cost in the tens of dollars. However, Garnet gemstones of three carats are uncommon and, therefore, more expensive, with gems of over ten carats being truly rare. Other garnets, like almandine, are far more frequent in larger sizes, so there’s no dramatic rise in value as size increases. The below table shows the heaviest and the lightest garnet ever recorded
Lightest (faceted) 0.06 cts
Heaviest (faceted) 88.74 cts

Garnet Localities:

Enormous deposits of garnet are located worldwide; some of the documented deposits are followed!
Country Mines
Australia Rex Mine
Canada Black Lake Mine, Orford Nickel Mine, Jeffrey Mine
China Wushan Spessartine Mine
Japan Kohse Mine
Kenya Lualenyi Mine, Scorpion Mine
Madagascar Antetezambato Demantoid-Topazolite Mine, Tsaramanga Pegmatite
Myanmar Pyant Gyi Mine, On-dan-pyant, Htan-yan-sho
Namibia Green Dragon Mine
Pakistan Seydar, Swat
Russia Achmatovsk Mine, Mirny Mine, Udachnaya open-pit mine
South Korea Eonyang Mine
USA Alaska Garnet Mine, Little Three Mine, Carmelita Mine

Garnet Associations:

Chakras Heart Chakra, Base Chakra
Birthstone January
Zodiac Aries, Leo, Virgo
Anniversary 2nd
Planet Mars

Healing Properties of Garnet:

Good Luck, Energy, Inspiration, Positive thoughts, Love, Passion, Sensuality, Success, Social popularity, Self-confidence
  • Garnet carries similar ruby stone properties, i.e., the energy of passion, creativity, and joy.
  • Garnet refresh, purifies, and balances energy, bringing serenity or love.
  • It also strengthens the survival instinct, bringing courage and hope.
  • Garnet treats disorders of the spine and spinal fluid, cellular structure, and bone
  • Garnet boosts the immune system and energy levels, purifies the heart, lungs, and blood, and regenerates DNA.

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