Garnets at a Glance:

 Mineral Name:  Garnet Group
 Colour:  Dark red varieties, rare and valuable greens and many colours in between
 Main Factor Affecting  Value:  Hessonite garnet often has a turbulent inner appearance called the roiled effect
 Inclusions:  The red garnets almandine, pyrope, & rhodolite typically don’t have eye-visible inclusions
 Birthstone:  Garnet is a January Birthstone
 Some Diamond Mines:  Garnet are heavily associated with Campbell Bridges, in Kenya

 

World of Garnet

Egyptian pharaohs were huge admirers of the red garnet necklace and believed when they died, the power of the garnet would help them regenerate in the afterlife.

 

Brief history

King Solomon was given one of the very first garnet gemstones ever created by God. According to myth, it wasn’t the ring that gave him his famous supernatural powers, but the Seal of Solomon.

 

Garnets: As a ‘talisman’

According to myth, garnets are a symbol of good health, are linked to the circulatory system and also ward off evil spirits, in relation to depression, re: mental health. They are also considered to be a good luck charm for those who are starting new job roles, as well as buying a new home for the family. Garnets were also used as gifts between mutual friends in the hope that they would see each other again very soon.

 

Largest Garnet found

In 1885, the largest garnet stone was found on a New York City subway, between Broadway and 7th Avenue, NYC.

 

Historical

Garnet comes from the Latin word ‘Garanatus’ – meaning ‘seed-like.’ The King of Saxony was famously reported to have had a garnet of over 465 carats. Garnet jewellery is still highly regarded in Eastern Europe, particularly the Czech Republic; where the stones are arranged in the traditional; yet tightly joined fashion; for optimum attraction, prior to the Anglo-Saxon period. However, in mainland Europe, during the 18th & 19th Century, garnets were used as jewellery during Victorian times. In India, garnets are highly regarded as good luck charms to promote good health and cheerfulness.

 

Interesting facts: Garnet

1. The word ‘garnet’ is derived from the Latin word Garanatus’ – meaning ‘seed-like.’ The stone resembles the pomegranate seed in colour (deep red) and shape and hence is given this name.

2. Garnets are deep red in colour, but they come in a variety of hues because of the different elements present in the stone.

3. The garnet is believed to bring good fortune to the wearer.

4. It is gifted to people going on a long journey – giving strength to the traveller.

5. Garnet signifies loyalty, friendship and purity at heart.

6. The garnet is believed to remove negativity and impose positive changes in the person who wears it.

7. People whose birthstone is garnet, have strong spirits and a very amiable nature.

8. Increases self-confidence, determination and perseverance.

9. The garnet gemstone is also linked to karma, due to its link with Vedic texts and the death of Vala.

10. According to Indian myth, the garnet is regarded as a holy stone that ‘forever enlightens the soul and nourishes wisdom’.

11. The garnet is also a root chakra stone.

12. Superstitiously, garnets as a gift are normally given on both the 2nd and 6th wedding anniversary.

 

 

Celebrities endorsements:

•           Selena Gomez (January 2011 – red carpet event; People’s Choice Awards, Los Angeles, USA)

•           Jennifer Carpenter (2012 – red carpet event; Screen Actors Guild Awards, Los Angeles, USA)

 

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