10 Varieties of Garnets You Should Know
Garnets are a group of hard, glassy minerals known for their luster and their wide variety of color. Garnets have many varieties which are differentiated on the basis of color, origin and chemical composition. Here are 10 garnet varieties every gemstone buff must know about.
1. Hessonite – Also known as ‘cinnamon stone’, Hessonite garnet looks like Winnie the Pooh’s treasure of hardened honey. Found in Sri Lanka, Brazil and California, Hessonite exudes warmth and good vibes.
2. Tsavorite – Found exclusively in Africa, tsavorite is the world’s rarest garnet. It was recently discovered in 1967 but takes billions of years to form. Tsavorite is often compared to emeralds on account of its mystical green color which symbolizes abundance and rebirth.
3. Pyrope – The dazzling red pyrope is one of the best known members of the garnet family. In Arizona, pyrope is called ‘ant-hill garnet” because it is found in clusters of small pebbles around anthills as ants remove them from the ground to build their homes, making the mining process unusual and adorable.
4. Almandine – With its decadent wine red color almandine jewelry looks like something out of Game of Thrones. Almandine along with pyrope make the ‘red garnets’, which are the most popular.
5. Rhodolite – blessed with a flush of pink, rhodolite is named after the flower rhododendron. It is also referred to as the ‘Queen of garnets’ as it is said to encapsulate an elusive, feminine beauty. Chemically, rhodolite isn’t a specific type but falls somewhere between almandine and pyrope.
6. Malaya garnet – or malaia garnet is pinkish or reddish-orange in color and no, in spite of what its name suggests, it is not from Malaysia. It was accidentally discovered by miners in Africa searching for rhodolite. In Swahili ‘Malaya’ means ‘outcast’ because its value was not recognized until much later.
7. Andradite - Its mysterious green color ranges from a mere trace to bright lime green with hues of gold. While andradite looks like something that emerges from Musafa’s lair, the stone is actually associated with good energy and is believed to have healing properties.
8. Demantoid – Demantoid has an even greater fire than Andradite. It’s compelling green is immediately attractive; this Russian beauty combined with its rarity make it one of the most sought after gemstones.
9. Spessartine – With it’s color varying from soft orange to golden-yellow, Spessartine looks like a lozenge from outer space. It is also known as ‘mandarin garnet’ on account of its exquisite color.
10. Melanite – This black-colored gemstone is a rare variety of andradite garnet. While Melanite is opaque, its high refractive index gives it an intense luster. It can give black onyx a run for its money.
Apart from being the January birthstone, Garnet is also the official gemstone for the second wedding anniversary.
If you are looking for a special way to celebrate either of these milestones, have a look at GemsNY’s garnet jewelry and GIA certified loose gemstones collection.
