Dahl Jewelers, Woodbridge, VA
Garnet, Garnets
Garnet, at times, seems to be treated as the poor relation of the gem family. This should not be the case, since garnet is a beautiful and noble stone.
While most people think of garnets as dark red stones, they can also be found in such colors as green, yellow and brown, depending on the type of garnet you want. A deep rich red, however, is usually considered the most desired color. It is this color that gives the garnet much of its mystique.
In ancient times, it was widely believed that gems had special powers both in magic and medicine. Garnet, with its blood red color, was believed to be a remedy for all kinds of hemorrhages, as well as inflammatory diseases. Garnet was also believed to have a calming influence on people and remove anger and discord.
Lastly, should you want a cure-all, heed Ragiel’s advice in his thirteenth-century Book of Wings. “The well-formed image of a lion, if engraved on a garnet, will protect and preserve honors and health, cures the wearer of all diseases, brings him honors and guards him from all perils in traveling.”
Description of Garnet Qualities That We Sell
High quality: Mozambique variety. Deep red or brown. Well cut, very lively and clean.
Medium quality: Thailand variety. Dark brown with little or no life to the stone and mediocre cutting. Excellent replacement stones for those old antique rings.
Please check here for a note about colored gemstone qualities.
Garnet Properties
Garnet – Pyrope, Almandine, Spessartite and Grossular are the most common varieties.
Birthstone: January
Hardness: 7 to 7.5
Toughness: Fair to poor
Specific Gravity: 3.61 to 4.15
Ref. Index: 1.72 to 1.87
Double Refraction: None
Main Sources: Africa, Thailand and India
Treatment: Not currently known to be enhanced.
Reaction to Heat: Fair to poor. Sudden heat may cause fractures.
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