What Is Garnet Stone?

Garnet is a gemstone that is typically noted for its dark red color but it can also come in a variety of shades. The historical uses of garnet date back as far as 3000 BC and the stone has retained its popularity today. Garnets are truly global gemstones; they are found in several locations throughout the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Africa and Asia.

Features

All garnet varieties are members of a silicate group of minerals that share similar chemical compositions and crystal structures. Different chemical compositions create different physical properties including color, hardness and luster. Though garnet stones are often identified by their red, ruby-like color, garnets are actually available in a range of colors including green, yellow and orange. Some varieties of garnet have color-changing properties when exposed to differing levels of light. Garnets are highly reflective and relatively hard, though some varieties of garnet are more brittle than others.

History

Though garnets were present on Earth millions of years age, evidence of the human use of garnet dates to 3000 BC; human remains were retrieved from a prehistoric grave site that also contained a necklace of garnet stones. Garnets were the most common gemstones used in ancient Roman jewelry and artwork. The garnet trade flourished during the Victorian era as upper-class Europeans coveted garnet jewelry and trinkets. Garnets remain a popular stone for decorative and industrial purposes.

Significance

Garnets are featured in ancient rituals, mythology and biblical stories. The biblical story of Noah's ark includes the detail that Noah used a carefully polished red garnet to serve as a light source on his ark. Christian tradition associates the blood-colored garnet stone with Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The Qur'an states that a garnet stone serves as a source of light in the fourth level of heaven. Ancient Greeks believed that wearing a garnet stone would protect a child from drowning or an adult from poisoning. Garnets are used as symbols for health, eternity, love, safe travels and femininity. The garnet is the January birthstone as well as the state gemstone of New York.

Uses

Garnets are frequently featured in antique and modern jewelry. The wide variety of garnet colors makes them well-suited for a variety of jewelry styles and pieces. Common garnet colors like red or brown are included in mass-produced pieces, while the rarest garnet colors like green are reserved for specialty pieces. Because of their hardness and abundance, garnets are also used for industrial purposes. Garnet sand is used on certain sandpapers and in water filtration systems.

Considerations

Though garnets are a naturally occurring gemstone, scientists discovered a process for synthesizing garnets in the 1970s. Synthesized garnets are available in an even larger variety of colors than the natural gemstones, including blue and color-changing varieties. Though garnet is relatively durable, it is susceptible to chips and scratches. Garnet stones may be cleaned with warm water and a soft cloth and should be stored in cloth-lined boxes.

References

• International Colored Gemstone Association: Garnet
• Jewels for Me: History, Legend and Lore of Garnet
• United States Geological Service: Gemstones Garnet