Garnet: The Interesting Characteristics of the January Birthstone

 Kicking things off for the month of January, we have wonderful garnets. Garnets are an interesting gemstone category, in that generally little is known about them besides the fact they are red in colour. However, like most things in the world of gemstones, there is a lot more to these birthstones.

In this Education page, we will outline the key features of garnets, in terms of the main features of this popular gemstone, but also important information on the gemstone family of which it is a part. Helping you a potential January birthstone buyer the information you need to make the right choice.

What is a Garnet?

For anyone who is curious to learn more about garnets, it is best to start by analysing their character. Garnets are part of a silicate group of minerals that are united in their crystal structure. And unlike other major gemstone types garnets vary considerably in terms of their core features: with garnets, depending on the specific ‘species’ differing in terms of the gemstone colour, hardness, mineral character and other more technical aspects of dividing gem quality, such as the gemstone’s gravity.

When we speak of garnets in terms of their popular use, the focus tends to revolve around a number of garnet species that have distinguished themselves in terms of colour and other important elements that determine gemstone quality. The main types are Almandine, rhodolite Pyrope, and Tsavorite Spessartine Grossular. Each of these top variants is identified by the main colours they are associated with and differ in terms of the countries of origin they are sourced from and their rarity.

When it comes to gemstones, garnets are usually associated with the colour red or stones which are related to crimson-based hues. However among the popular garnet hues are red, green, purple and orange. Blue is relatively rare in the world garnets. When it comes to the various colours in the garnet family, it is important to note that the colours fall on a spectrum, with a variety of overlaps in terms of gemstone tones. Given that garnets come in a number of variants or species, a quick look at the top garnet types might help. Garnet species tend to fall under two main categories: calcium and aluminium categories. These affect the durability and specific gravity of the garnet group in question.

Tsavorite Garnets

Arguably the rarest garnet species in the world, the Tsavorite is best known as the green variant in the garnet family. The wonderful green gemstone is sourced from the Tsavo Game reserve in Kenya, from which it derives its name. Tsavorites are sourced from a number of countries mainly in the regions surrounding East Africa. Known for their rich hues, tsavorites are known for their high vividness and score a 6.5 – 7.5 on the Mohs scale for hardness.

Rhodolite Garnets

Arguably the most recognised garnet species, and is mineralogically a mixture of a mix of pyrope and almandine garnet types. Distinguished by their deep red hues with a tine of rose, or a light purple mixed in. Rhodolite garnets are a great choice for those who wish to own gemstone jewellery in this group of minerals. Known in certain circles as the raspberry red gemstone is among the more catchy hues and has carved out a market in the world of garnet stones. A gemstone with a long history of use, that goes to ancient cultures such as Greece and is known to have healing properties.

Almandine Garnets

Arguably the most common type in the garnet family, that comes in the deep red in the high-quality range, to the brown shade at the lower end. Almandine garnets, owing to their greater prevalence in the world of garnets, were for a while historically confused with rubies. Almandine garnets are sourced predominantly from East Africa, with the island of Madagascar leading the way it is also among the more durable garnet species scoring on a scale of 7 - 7.5 scale and in some instances it can be higher.

Grossular Garnets

Another entry in the more popular and premium range of garnets that is generally known for its lighter hues: from yellow, to light green. A member of the calcium group of garnets, grossular garnets interestingly come in a number of hues, however, the lighter ones predominate. When it comes to their mineral character, grossular garnets feature a higher level of iron and magnesium and in some instances, with higher vanadium (a trace mineral) their hues verge close to that of the emerald.

Garnet Sources and Countries of Origin

This is a tricky question since garnets are sourced from a range of countries around the world. With countries in Eastern Africa leading the way. However, garnets are found in a number of other gem producing such as Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and less-known nations such as India. As the reader may know, garnets are not among the top gemstones in the world. Unlike the top variants, which I am sure you may know about (hint: they correspond to blue, green, red and white or colourless). When it comes to mining for these gems, the main driver is the industrial demand for them. As garnets are used in an array of industries and their adoption in the world of gemstones is partly a downstream process.

Now when it comes to their use of gemstones, gemstone quality garnets tended to be selected for a number of factors. With traditional criteria for measuring gemstone quality, one that was popularised in the world of diamonds, that relate to the gemstone’s cut, clarity, carat and colour. Now, these factors are difficult to standardise in the world of garnets given the wide range of differences among garnet species. However, they nonetheless remain a solid standard.

When it comes to the mining of garnets, this greatly varies depending on the country and garnet source in question. Like most gemstones in the world, garnets are sourced from primary and secondary sources. The later requires greater investment as they need to split apart from the ingenuous rock formations of which they are apart.

Garnet Symbolism and Meaning

When it comes to the meaning and symbolism that is attached to garnets one can look at it overall, as to how it applies to all garnets vs the kind of meaning that is attached to individual garnet variants. Taken overall garnets to have a long history of use, with garnet gemstones being recognised in time periods going back thousands of years. It is a gem that has been valued for its economic and depending on the culture and the time, its symbolic value. From the Romans, and Greeks to the ancient Israelites, garnets were widely adopted and at times were even confused with rubies. Essentially garnets were valued for their colour and the symbolic value that is attached to them. 

In ancient Egyptian cultures, garnets were believed to enhance the wearer’s health and in the Hindu and Vedic traditions, it is associated with positive karma aiding good fortune for the wearer. When it comes to the symbolism attached to select garnet types, grossular garnets, the rich light-green garnet is associated with self-healing, engendering a sense of hope and connecting the wearer with the Earth.  

Garnet Gemstone for Jewellery

When it comes to the use of garnets as a birthstone, arguably the best way to showcase it is in the form of a jewellery item. Whilst the type of garnet jewellery varies in terms of price point, jewellery style and type. Garnets traditionally have not been the go-to choice when it comes to fine jewellery, the trend has been shifting in recent years. High-end garnet jewellery types such as garnet engagement ring now becoming more popular. However, when it comes to birthstone jewellery, garnet gift items are a top choice.