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Colored Stones: All About Garnet – Rock Star of Gems

Alright, buckle up because we’re about to take a road trip on the gemstone bus to the land of garnets! If you were to imagine gemstones have personalities garnets would be the rock stars crashing around the stage… Garnet is truly the ‘wild child’ of gems!

Basics

First things first: Garnets are a group of silicate minerals that share a similar crystal structure but can vary widely in chemical composition and coloration. They are commonly found in metamorphic rocks such as schist and gneiss, as well as in some igneous rocks. In terms of chemical composition, garnets generally consist of aluminum, silicon, and oxygen, along with varying amounts of other elements such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese. The exact composition will determine the color and properties of the garnet, which results in a stunning and diverse array of these gemstone rock stars.

Garnet Rough
Credit: Wikimedia

Hardness & Appearance

With a hardness of 6.5-7.5 that’s suitable for everyday wear, garnets strut their stuff in an array of colors that would make a rainbow jealous. 

First, let’s talk about fiery reds that could set your heart ablaze. Almandine is perhaps the most common garnet variety. These gems occur in deep brownish or purplish reds due to iron and aluminum in its chemical structure. Similarly colored are Pyrope garnets, which are purplish or deep red due to magnesium, and less common Rhodolite, a garnet variety that is a combination of almandine and pyrope.

Red Garnet

There are also orange and brown garnets belonging to the spessartine variety, which range from orange to reddish-brown in color due to manganese.

Orange Garnet

There are deep greens that would make emeralds envious such as Tsavorite, which is a Grossular garnet variety, deriving its color from calcium and aluminum in its chemical structure. Prized for vivid green hues, rarity, and brilliance they are often used in jewelry for their exceptional beauty. 

Tsavorite Garnet

Somewhat more common are Uvarovite garnets which are typically a brighter green in color due to high levels of chromium.

Green Garnet

For variety, there are andradite garnets come in various colors including green, yellow, brown, and black. They often contain calcium and iron. It’s as if garnets decided, “Why be just one color when you can be the whole spectrum?”

Garnet Colors
Credit: www.polisheddiamonds.co.nz

‘Garnet’s Secret Sauce’

Guess what? These rock stars aren’t just content with being eye candy. Oh no, they’re out there grinding in the industrial scene too! Ever heard of waterjet cutting?  Yes, garnets are the secret sauce behind that technology, making sure everything gets cut with precision and style.

Don’t let their modest ranking of 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale fool you. These beauties are not just formidable enough to withstand the wear and tear of daily adornment, garnets are also widely used as abrasives in various forms such as sandpaper, grinding wheels, and abrasive powders. Due to their hardness and angular shape, garnet abrasives are highly effective in processes like sandblasting, metal cutting, and polishing.

Garnet Abrasive
Credit: Abrasive Blast Supply

Myths & Legends

Long ago, ancient civilizations revered them as talismans of protection, believing they held the power to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune to their wearers. From the shores of the Mediterranean to the heart of Asia, garnets adorned the crowns and necks of kings and noblewomen.

Garnet Crown

Their fiery brilliance was a symbol of wealth, power, and prestige. Knights wore them into combat, believing their fiery energy would lead them to victory, while lovers exchanged them as tokens of eternal devotion.

Painting
Credit: Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash

The Rock Star of Gems

With a versatile nature extending far beyond adornment, garnets also play essential roles in various industry and technological endeavors, showcasing the value and utility of these remarkable gemstones.

So, there you have it, folks: garnet, the wild child of gemstones, both colorful and versatile. So the next time you see one winking at you, take a moment to appreciate the dazzling beauty and storied history encapsulated within its depths. Just remember, it’s not just a stone; it’s a whole vibe!

Garnet Earrings

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