Garnets a silent protector for 1000's of years

Garnets are a cherished semi-precious gemstone. They're steeped in folklore, as well as being symbolically known to offer protection from evil, provide healing, represent passion, creativity, and strength. These stunning stones have been a silent protector for 1000's of years.

A Rainbow of Colours

While Garnets are commonly known for their red hues, they come in a rainbow of colours. From red to orange, green, brown and the very captivating rare blue. With their blended variations creating delightful pinks, yellows, browns and hints of purple, making garnets a popular and affordable choice for jewellery lovers and collectors.

Vibrant saturation of colour and high clarity of the gem are important factors for garnets. Garnet appears on the Moh's Scale at 6.5 - 7.5, and can become abraded, chipped and scratched. It may also start to show white streaks where facet junctions have been subject to wear.

Agape Cross set with Pyrope Garnet in Gold. Minturn Jewellery.

Historical Meets Folklore

Garnets have a rich cultural, mythical and theological heritage that spans across the globe, and through ancient and modern civilizations. The Aztec and Mayan believed in its healing properties and wore them as talisman. The Egyptians believed it offered protection in the afterlife.

Gold Ring set with Garnet. Greek, 3rd or 2nd Century BCE. The Met Museum. References listed below.

The Greeks and Romans had a similar beliefs of protection.

The Romans linked the gem to the planet Mars. They also carved them with family crests or seals set into signet rings.

It is also linked to the Hindu and Buddhist spiritual tradition of the Chakra system, with the Root Chakra symbolising security, safety and grounding.

During the Middle Ages in Europe, they were thought to cure depression, promote courage & victory in war, as well as beginning to be valued by theological orders as a symbols of Christ's blood and sacrifice.

These beautiful red gemstones when cabochon cut were known by a very strange name "Carbuncle". This Latin word meant "little spark". Often Garnet cabochons were set with a foil back which increased the light given back by the gem, giving them an enchanting warm glow.

Varieties of Garnets

Garnets come in several different gem species and are not found in a pure state, as they exist as a mixture with other garnet species.

Some of these blends are recognized as gem varieties of garnet in themselves:

Almandine (red w. violet tint)	Rhodolite (purple-red)
Andradite (black-brown to lemon brown)	Rosolite (raspberry pink)
Demantoid (green-emerald green w. high lustre)	Spessartite (orange to red-brown)
Hessonite (brown-red)	Topazolite (yellow to lemon-yellow)
Leuco (colourless)	Tsavorite (green to emerald green)
Melanite (opaque black)	Uvarovite (emerald green to green)
Pyrope (red w. brown tint)

Cabochon & Faceted Pyrope, Orissa, Rhodolite Garnets looking good enough to eat!

Hydrogrossular; A New Zealand Gem

Hydrogrossulars are not transparent. They can be blueish-green, occasionally pink, white, and grey. This type of garnet is also found at Orepuki, Te Waewae Bay, Southland.

It is highly prized to polish and sharpen Pounamu Toki, by local Iwi.

Synthetic Garnets

Synthetic garnets have a too good to be true look! So clear and bright. YAG (Yttrium Aluminium Garnet) and GGG (gadolinium gallium garnet) were common substitutes. In the 1970's, Cubic Zirconia were less expensive to produce and became more commonly used.

Industrial Uses for Garnet

Garnet is commonly used in industry. When prospecting for Diamonds in South Africa, searching for Garnets is part of the process, as they are an indicator of possible Diamond fields. Garnet sit high in a Diamond pipe.

The hardness of Garnet makes them ideal for use for sandpapers, water assisted cutting and filtration.

Recently they are being used in solid-state batteries due to their high ionic conductivity and stability with Lithium metal.

Caring for Your Garnet Jewelry

Clean garnet gemstones with warm water, mild detergent, and a soft brush. Although relatively hard and durable, garnets can be heat sensitive.

Garnets a silent protector for 1000's of years are truly remarkable gemstones with a rich history and a wide range of uses. Their beauty, and versatility make them a timeless choice for jewelry.

If you found my journal note on Garnets interesting, we'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Additionally, if you are looking for quality Garnets we can source these for a bespoke jewel, or for an enthusiast to add to their collection.

References

Website https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/255136 Retrieved 11 July 2025

Oliver, Andrew Jr. 1966. "Greek, Roman, and Etruscan Jewelry." Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 24(9): p. 279, fig. 19.

Holcomb, Melanie. 2018. Jewelry : The Body Transformed pl. 83, New Haven: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Ogden, Jack. 2024. Jewelry Technology in the Ancient and Medieval World. p. 289, fig. 15.34, Harpswell, ME: Brynmorgen Press.