G
GARNET
Name: Garnet comes from the Latin word “granatum” meaning “seed”. In Ancient times the term “carbuncle” was used to refer to red garnets as well as almost any other red stone. The Greek term for garnet was “nuktalopos” meaning “lamp stone”. The 14th century Middle English word “gernet” means “dark red”.
Color: Garnet is the name of a mineral group that has the same crystal system but differing chemical composition. The mineral group includes almandine, pyrope, grossular, spessartine/spessartite, andradite, uvarovite, and tsavorite. It gets its colors from iron (red, reddish brown), manganese (orange, pink), aluminum (green), chromium (green), vanadium (green), and calcium (yellow) impurities. A mix of iron and chromium can result in a purple colored garnet. Garnet can also be colorless. Today, the most sought-after color of Garnet is the vivid green of the demantoid garnet. The most sought-after red variety of garnet is the almandine garnet.
Treatments: Garnets generally are not treated. Demantoid Garnet is rarely heat treated.
Moh’s Hardness: 6.5 to 7 to 7.5.
Location Found: Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Russia, Germany, Greece, Pakistan, Brazil, Tanzania, Kenya, Canada, Czech Republic, and the United States of America (Idaho, California, North Carolina, Arizona, Colorado, New York, Wyoming). Bohemian garnet deposits were discovered around 1500 and contributed to their popularity in jewelry in Europe.
Birthstone: January (1912, National Association of Jeweler’s; Jewish; Polish; Roman).
Wedding Anniversaries: 2nd and 29th.
Zodiac Signs: Aquarius, Taurus, Aries, Scorpio, and Leo.
Chakra Associations: Heart; Root; Sacral.
Historical Associations: eternity; love; faith; consistency; virtue; nobility; wealth; status; sincerity; good health; protection from evil thoughts; eternal friendship; trust; loyalty; ability to see in the dark; wealth; status.
Historically Used to Treat: indigestion; sore throats; sadness; protect against the plague.
Care: Avoid steam cleaning. Ultrasonic cleaner is safe as long as there are no fractures in your garnet. Warm soapy water can be used.