How to Choose High-Quality Garnets

Although most people think of garnets as deep red stones, they come in a variety of colors including yellow, orange, green, violet and pink. Most garnets are reasonably priced and are said to protect travelers from harm and sleepers from nightmares.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jewelry Pouches
• Jewelry Boxes
• Garnet Bracelets
• Garnet Earrings
• Garnet Necklaces
• Garnet Rings
• Jewelry Insurance
• Jewlery Appraisals

1. Shop with a trusted and reputable jeweler.

2. Ask if the stone has been treated in any way. Some common treatments to enhance gems include irradiation, heat treatment, dyeing and coating. Not all of these treatments will devalue the stone, but always ask so you know what you're getting.

3. Look at the color and clarity of the stone. The rarest and most valuable garnets are of the green demantoid variety, which are uncommonly brilliant and mined largely in Russia and southern Africa. Pink and red rhodolite garnets are among the most popular. Make sure the color is even and vivid.

4. Examine the cut of the garnet. Many garnets are quite small, but larger ones can be cut in a variety of shapes, including heart-shaped. Make sure the light reflects evenly off the surface of the stone, and check it from several different angles.

5. Check for obvious flaws and inclusions.

6. Compare several garnets side by side. Check the color, cut and clarity and choose the one that most appeals to you.

Tips & Warnings

• Garnets are the traditional birthstone for January.
• Although garnets are available in a wide variety of colors, you will not find them in blue.
• Types of garnets include rhodolite, malaya, pyrope, anthill, tsavorite, demantoid, spessarite, grossular, mandarin and hessonite. The variety of garnet largely depends on its color and/or area of origin.
• If you're shopping online, investigate the site's return policy, and make sure you buy from a reputable online jeweler.