Garnet Identification
Garnets are semi-precious gemstones which are found in both fine jewelry and in their natural state in the marketplace. The hardness of garnet and variety of colors allow for a range of uses unseen by other semi-precious gemstones. Garnets are found in gemstone mines throughout the world, which makes them accessible to many cultures. Does this Spark an idea?
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Facts
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Garnets are semi-precious gemstones that form in nature as small, ball shaped formations with various symmetrical sides. Garnets are mined in Arizona, Utah, California, North Carolina, Alaska, Idaho, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Sri Lanka, Scotland, Burma, Russia, Tanzania and Switzerland. The American National Association of Jewelers declared the Garnet the gemstone for January and the Zodiac sign of Aquarius in 1912. Garnet is also the official anniversary gemstone gift for the 2nd and 6th wedding anniversaries. The garnet is thought to have healing powers according to ancient folklore.
Characteristics
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Garnet is a semi-precious stone with a Moh’s Scale of Hardness rating of 7.5. The Moh’s Scale of Hardness ranks minerals and gemstones' degree of sturdiness. A 10 ranking is for the hardest minerals such as diamonds. A 1 ranking is for the softest minerals such as talc. Garnet’s clarity is transparent to opaque and it has a glass-like luster. Garnets can grow as large as 2.5 centimeters.
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Types
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Garnets occur in nature in a variety of colors. The true red garnets are simply named “garnets” while other colors have their own names. The pinkish-red and purplish-red varieties of garnet are named rhodolite garnet. Spessertite are garnets which are orange, yellow, brown and black. The dark green and green garnets are named tsavorite. There are some garnets which display multiple colors; these garnets are known as Alexandrite garnets.
Uses
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The large ranges of colored garnets make them appealing for jewelers. Garnet jewelry is common and can be found at jewelry stores around the world. Garnets are cut and polished into circles, ovals, squares, marquis cuts, rectangles and pear shaped stones. Different colors of garnets are used in earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, lapel pins and belt buckles.
It was believed in the Middle Ages that garnets could help heal those who suffered from the black plague. Garnets are still used as healing gemstones in alternative medicine in modern times.
Considerations
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Semi-precious stones should be handled with care. Garnets can scratch easily and should be washed with a gentle, liquid dish soap and soft cloth. The ultra violet light from the sun can fade garnets. It is important to keep garnets out of direct sunlight for an extended period of time. Garnets should be stored in a soft, velvet pouch in order to avoid the stones touching other stones or jewelry. If garnets come in contact with other objects which are hard, such as a stainless steel wristwatch or rough gemstone, they can be become scratched.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit crystal of garnet image by Alexander Maksimov from Fotolia.com
