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GARNET

The use of Garnet stones in jewelry can be traced back to the Bronze Age. Their rich, warm colors scintillate when they catch the light and bring balance and poise to the wearer. “My draw to Demantoid’s brilliant green and Rhodolite’s vivid red is that they are not the ‘typical’ ideas of garnets that one may think of” Karin explains. “I love the depth of their colors and using these garnets to create beautiful designer jewelry pieces.”

Garnet FAQs

What are the different colors of Garnet jewelry?   

  • Key Garnet Color Varieties:
    ⦁    Red (Pyrope/Almandine): The most common variety, ranging from brownish-red to dark, deep red.
    ⦁    Green (Tsavorite/Demantoid): Highly valued for rarity, Tsavorite offers intense green hues, while Demantoid displays bright, fiery green
    ⦁    Orange (Spessartite/Hessonite): Ranging from bright yellow-orange to deep, reddish-orange or "blood orange".
    ⦁    Purple/Pink (Rhodolite): Often a vibrant, deep purplish-red or pink.
    ⦁    Color-Change: These rare garnets shift between blue/green and purple/red depending on the light.
    ⦁    Malaya: A, rare, unique hybrid that exhibits pinkish-orange, reddish-orange, or yellowish-orange.
     

What are the different Garnet categories/species?  

  • Pyrope, Almandine, Tsavorite, Spessartite, Rhodolite, Malaya, and Color Change

What is the history of Garnet?

  • Used for over 5000 years, originates from the Nile Delta where Egyptians fashioned it into jewelry, often burying it with mummies for protection.

How to distinguish real vs fake garnet?  

  • Real garnets are known for their deep, rich hues, unlike fakes, which often have an overly bright and uniform color.  Real garnets would be heavier and denser than glass or plastic imitations.  In addition, they will test for hardness at 6.5 – 7.5 on the Mohs scale and should also be able to scratch glass.

Is Garnet durable enough to wear every day?  

  • Yes, see the reference above for the Mohs scale of hardness.  However, demantoid and tsavorite garnet (these are the green varieties) are a little brittle and therefore prone to chipping.  It would be best to set these in a bezel setting to protect the stone.

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