Garnet is a deep red to maroon coloured gem stone which traces its discovery back to the Bronze Age!
Later in the 14th century a Middle English word gernet crowned the gem with an identity by naming it garnet a derivative of gernet.
It resembles the seeds of the fruit pomegranate; similar to their shape and size. Thus in Latin it is derived from "granatus, fromgranum" meaning "grain seed" This reference makes sense as small garnets look like the bright red seeds you find inside a pomegranate. The garnet has been a popular gem throughout history and worn as jewellery by both men and women.
Garnets were highly popular in Europe, in 18th and 19th centuries. They were frequently used for jewellery in the Victorian times. In Old Spain, the pomegranate was a favourite, and as a result of this, so was the garnet. In Spanish astrology, the garnet once represented the sun. In ancient times, garnet was known as"Carbuncle," which relates to the colour and refers to a boil or blister. This name was also applied to other red stones, but to the garnet in particular.
The King of Saxony is said to have had a garnet of over 465 carats. Plato had his portrait engraved on a garnet by a Roman engraver. Bohemia, now a part of Czechoslovakia, was once a tremendous source of garnet, and at one time, cutting, polishing, and mounting garnets was a very rich industry in that country. Many Bohemian castles and churches had magnificent interiors decorated with garnet. Bohemian garnets are famous even today, known for their small but beautiful stones set close to each other resembling a pomegranate. Garnet jewellery is still found in the Czech Republic, with the stones still arranged in the traditional, tightly joined way. This ensures that the attraction of the classical Garnet pieces is caused only by the beauty of its stones. The Anglo-Saxons were also fond of garnets. Their jewellery was set with garnets mounted in many forms.
Garnet is best known in a deep red variety but is commonly found in orangey brown and wine red shades. A flawless, clear green garnet is one of the most beautiful and expensive gems in existence. Demantoids are softer than other types of garnets. A green garnet of over five carats is rarer than an emerald in the same size. The fire, or sparkle, of such a garnet is even higher than that of a diamond; however the brilliance is masked by the colour, so a white diamond shows more fire to the eye. A large clear garnet is hard to find. The larger gems, as with other gemstones, are usually flawed, cracked or of poor colour.
Garnet is one of the few untreated gems. It is available in many colours and offers great versatility it can also be mistaken for other, usually more expensive gems. The red garnet may be mistaken for a ruby, while the yellow type may be mistaken for precious topaz and the green garnet may be mistaken for an emerald.
Today, the Mozambique variety of garnet is quite popular. Originating in the East African nation they are named after, Mozambique garnets are known for their high quality and wonderfully warm, red colours. Garnets are found in Africa, India, Russia, South America, Madagascar, Pakistan, and the United States.
Garnet is the birthstone for January, and the gemstone for the second anniversary. While most people know the January birthstone as a maroon red colour, garnet is a large family of gemstones which occur in every single colour, except blue. You'll find the gem in colours such as orange, pink, yellow, green, violet, and others.
Garnets make a great gift because they offer enough colour varieties to suit everyone's taste, as well as an outstanding price range to suit everyone's pocketbook. Wearing red garnets, because it is the colour of blood, is thought to promote good circulation. Garnet is also said to give its wearer guidance in the night and protection from nightmares. Legend holds that Noah hung a large garnet in the arc for illumination.
Garnets have been mined in Africa, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, United States of America and India.
On the spiritual level; Garnet is associated with the root chakra, but also with the heart chakra. It is used to balance, purify, align and remove negative energy from all the chakras and aura. Various types of garnets have their own properties in addition to those of garnet in general may be related to other chakras as well.
On the esoteric level, Garnet is used to encourage movement of the Kundalini. It is also considered a stone that helps one realize and enjoy the pleasures of earthly incarnations. This includes enhancing sensuality, sexuality, and intimacy in a balanced fashion. And therefore; Garnet is a stone of spirituality, love and passion.
A string, a ring, a pair of studs or a bracelet of garnets gives a touch of class and mystery to a woman of substance!
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