2nd Wedding Anniversary Gift

Garnet. The name GARNET comes from the Latin ‘granatus’ meaning pomegranate – due to the mainly red colour of the gem. However, garnets are not all red.

They are a complicated group of gemstones which, in a simplified way of describing them, form six varieties which can also overlap with each other:  Pyrope, Almandine, Spessartine, Grossular, Andradite, and although not really used in jewellery due to its small crystal size, Uvarovite.

There is a crossover in the Pyrope (red) and Almandine (more purplish) varieties called Rhodolite which is a purplish-red colour.

The Spessartine (sometimes referred to as Spessarite) is an orange-yellow variety.

There are two green garnets – Tsavorite (a species of the Grossular variety) which is the harder wearing of the two and Demantoid (from the Andradite variety).

Often a ‘horsetail’ inclusion can be seen in Demantoid garnets, from the ones originating in Russia, Iran and Italy but not in those mined in Madagascar or Namibia.

Hessonite garnet is another species from the Grossular variety and it is a yellow to orange and cinnamon brown colour.

The Uvarovite garnet occurs only in very small crystals not really suitable for cutting. It is an ‘emerald green’ colour, more of a collector’s piece.

Very rarely you can find a colour change garnet.  The only colour that garnet does not appear in is blue.

Garnets are on Mohs’ Scale of Hardness at 6.5 – 7.  This means that they are softer than diamond, corundum (the ruby and sapphire family), and topaz but are still durable gems for all types of jewellery including rings, pendants and earrings.   It would still be recommended for rings to be removed if hard work is being done to prevent damage to the gem or its setting.

Garnets are found worldwide, although some varieties are only found in certain localities. Often garnets can be found in the same locations as diamonds and occasionally a complete garnet crystal can be seen as an inclusion in a diamond.

Unlike many coloured gems, most garnets are not treated, but, rarely, some may be fracture filled which means that if they have a surface-reaching fracture (break), that fracture may have a glass-like substance inserted to improve the clarity of the stone.  Extra care is needed with these stones when cleaning or having repairs and alterations carried out in a workshop.

For any garnets, cleaning with warm, soapy water with a soft brush is ideal.  It is usually possible to put them in an ultrasonic cleaner but NOT if they have been fracture filled as it may cause the stone to break or the filled substance to be removed from the stone.  It is NOT recommended for garnets to be steam cleaned.

When you are looking to purchase garnets you need to make sure that the stone is well-cut and shows lively flashes as you move the stone around.   A poorly cut stone will not reflect the light well and will be less attractive and usually, that would be reflected in the price.

It is good to be able to view a selection of varieties and species to see just how much they vary.  Here at Gerry & Co (Jewellers) Ltd, we are always happy to source a variety for you if we don’t already have one in stock.

We can make a garnet item to your specifications, however, please be aware that this can be a lengthy process so don’t leave it to the last minute if it is for a special occasion as the gem has to be sourced and often the mount will have to be handmade by our jeweller, a highly skilled craftsman who will work on the item for hours at a time.  We are always pleased to be able to obtain a quote for a bespoke item.

Please enjoy the short video clips of some red, pinkish and orangish polished garnets and a garnet crystal followed by some Tsavorite garnet earrings and a pendant along with a grossular garnet crystal.