| Garnet is a semi-precious gemstone frequently | | | | garnet with yellow-brown citrine, white pearls, raw |
| incorporated into some of the most modern, | | | | diamonds or light blue aquamarine. . Garnet is |
| beautiful handmade jewelry in the world. It is | | | | typically considered a sophisticated gemstone that |
| most often found in shades of deep red, and is | | | | works well with any outfit. In earrings, it works |
| widely recognized as the January Birthstone and | | | | especially well to enhance the glitter of brown or |
| the gemstone for the 2nd, 5th and 7th | | | | hazel eyes. |
| anniversaries. But beyond its modern-day uses | | | | Thousands of years ago Egyptian pharaohs |
| and associations, garnet holds a decadent | | | | revered garnets, viewing the gemstones as prizes |
| mythological, spiritual and etymological history that | | | | to take to the afterlife. In Victorian times, garnets |
| adds nostalgic value to its already strong aesthetic | | | | were referred to as "carbuncles." Popular |
| worth. Read on for more information that will help | | | | throughout the Middle Ages within the higher |
| you fall in love with your garnet jewelry - or | | | | echelons of society, garnets were favored by |
| inspire you to buy some today! | | | | travelers who wore them for protection. Today, |
| Traditonal garnet exhibits deep rich red to | | | | many believe that garnets provide protection |
| brownish-red tones. The incredible beauty of | | | | from disease and promote feelings of peace, |
| garnet however comes in a variety of colors, | | | | strength, confidence and productivity. |
| including yellowish-green, pinkish-orange, and purple, | | | | Mohs' Hardness score is based on a 10 point scale |
| and all the hues in between. Rhodolite Garnets are | | | | where 10 is the most resistant, like a diamond, |
| the most valuable of the red garnet types, with | | | | and 1 is easily scratched, such as Talc. Regular |
| stunning deep purplish-red tones. Grossular Garnet | | | | garnet gets a score of 7-7.5, meaning that it is |
| is genuinely light to dark yellow to reddish-orange | | | | fairly scratch resistant and therefore suitable as a |
| and sometimes clear. Hessonite garnet is a type | | | | component of jewelry. Garnet gemstones should |
| of grossular garnet that displays yellow and | | | | be regularly cleaned by a professional or with a |
| reddish-orange colors. | | | | soft rag and mild soap and water. Avoid ultrasonic |
| The name garnet is derived from Latin meaning | | | | cleaners, solvents and harsh chemicals when |
| grain or seed, as the tiny crystals were thought | | | | cleaning your handcrafted jewelry as exposure to |
| to resemble seeds from the pomegranate. The | | | | these elements can damage semi-precious and |
| majority of garnets come from sources in Africa, | | | | precious gemstones and pearls. |
| where the fines green garnets (called Tsavorites) | | | | Learn more about all semi-precious gemstones, |
| command prices comparative to the precious | | | | including amethyst, apatite, aquamarine, black |
| Emerald. Other mine sources include Central | | | | onyx, blue topaz, carnelian, chalcedony, citrine, |
| Europe, Russia and Brazil. | | | | coral, white topaz, crystal, diamond, emerald, iolite, |
| Garnet gemstones look best as parts of formal | | | | jade, Labradorite, moonstone, pearl, peridot, |
| evening jewelry when paired with Black Onyx, | | | | prehnite, rose quarz, ruby, sapphire, smokey |
| black pearls or diamonds. More casual | | | | topaz, tanzanite, tourmaline and tourquoise when |
| combinations include contrasts such as dark red | | | | you check out this gemstone chart. |