Garnets

Garnets /ˈɡɑrnət/ are a group of silicate minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives.

The scientific stuff

Garnets possess similar physical properties and crystal forms but different chemical compositions. The different species are pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular (varieties of which are hessonite or cinnamon-stone and tsavorite), uvarovite and andradite. The garnets make up two solid solution series: pyrope-almandine-spessarite and uvarovite-grossular-andradite.

Garnet species are found in many colors including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, pink and colorless. The rarest of these is the blue garnet, discovered in the late 1990s in Bekily, Madagascar. It is also found in parts of the United States, Russia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Turkey. It changes color from blue-green in the daylight to purple in incandescent light, as a result of the relatively high amounts of vanadium (about 1 wt.% V2O3). Other varieties of color-changing garnets exist. In daylight, their color ranges from shades of green, beige, brown, gray, and blue, but in incandescent light, they appear a reddish or purplish/pink color. Because of their color-changing quality, this kind of garnet is often mistaken for Alexandrite.

A sample showing the deep red color garnet can exhibit.

Garnet species' light transmission properties can range from the gemstone-quality transparent specimens to the opaque varieties used for industrial purposes as abrasives. The mineral's luster is categorized as vitreous (glass-like) or resinous (amber-like).

Garnets are nesosilicates having the general formula X3Y2(Si O4). The X site is usually occupied by divalent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+) and the Y site by trivalent cations (Al3+, Fe3+, Cr3+) in an octahedral/tetrahedral framework with [SiO4]4− occupying the tetrahedra. Garnets are most often found in the dodecahedral crystal habit, but are also commonly found in the trapezohedron habit. (Note: the word "trapezohedron" as used here and in most mineral texts refers to the shape called a Deltoidal icositetrahedron in solid geometry.) They crystallize in the cubic system, having three axes that are all of equal length and perpendicular to each other. Garnets do not show cleavage, so when they fracture under stress, sharp irregular pieces are formed.

Because the chemical composition of garnet varies, the atomic bonds in some species are stronger than in others. As a result, this mineral group shows a range of hardness on the Mohs scale of about 6.5 to 7.5. The harder species like almandine are often used for abrasive purposes

Now for the Good stuff

Meaning, healing properties and Metaphysical Qualities

Noah’s Ark and the light of Garnet

Even Noah, it is reported, used a lantern from Garnet in order to safely steer his Ark through the darkness of the night. Garnets are found in jewelry from ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman eras. Many courageous discoverers and travelers wore Garnets for protection, as they were considered popular talismans and protective stones, because it was believed in those days that Garnets illuminate the night and prevent their wearer from any sort of evil. Today science explained to us that the proverbial luminosity of Garnet is caused by its high refraction of light, but the magic of the original lore is much more interesting

Garnet is a stone of romantic love and passion. Metaphysically it is used to enhance sensuality, sexuality and intimacy. It is said that garnet will bring positive thoughts and boost energy.

It is an excellent stone for manifestation, and can assist mystically with building one's self-confidence as well as success in one's chosen profession.  The Garnet is commonly known as the stone for a successful business. If your business is not as good as it should be, just put three or more garnets on your desk, and improvement should be forthcoming.

A garnet gemstone under a pillow is said to prevent bad dreams, as well, wearing the gemstone in jewelry is told to help generate popularity amongst peers, and help alleviate depression; it will also bring constancy to friendships.

Garnet is also a protective energy stone which is especially effective for protection from evil. It is also often used for gentle spiritual healing. Lore tells that garnet can heal the blood, heart and lungs.

Garnet is found in a myriad of color...but just now we will speak only of red garnet in healing.

The Garnet is associated with the thyroid and spleen. Both organs may benefit with cleansing and purify with the garnet, when the gemstone is held over the organ.

A garnet held in the hand or placed atop the head whilst searching or meditating on past lives can be quite useful in bringing about what is being searched for, or meditated upon.  Beneficial information for the searcher may be released. Although the information may be painful, it will be what the searcher needs, the garnet is a stone of truth and purity as well as a symbol of love an compassion, simply trust that the information will be released as it is needed for awareness and healing of spirituality.

Magical:

 Energy: Projective

Element: Fire

Powers: Healing, protection, strength 

It is told that garnet holds not only the power to protect its wearer from negative energies, but to send those negative energies back to where they originated from. If you are suffering from malicious gossip and lies, wearing a garnet will send the negative vibrations directly back to those perpetrating them. Whenever you hear or feel negative remarks, place the garnet between the trouble makers and yourself; the rebound will most assuredly go unnoticed until they suffer from the results.

Associations: Mars 

Traditional Birthstone for the Month of January.

Stone of Scorpio, Capricorn and Aries, garnet symbolizes constructiveness. Mystics believe it brightens dark souls and brings hope to people. This is to be said of all types of garnet gemstones.

Garnet is associated primarily with the1st, Root or Base Chakra, but also with other chakras depending on its color, as garnet develops into many different colors, details may be found here.

Garnet is a stone that can connect with the kundalini energy of transformation. The garnet can regenerate and transmute; at the same time it can lift depression and help keep thoughts on a higher level.

I hope you enjoyed the information on garnets.

visit our shop to see what we may have in garnet jewelry