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 â Also known as âcinnamon stoneâ, Hessonite garnet looks like Winnie the Poohâs treasure of hardened honey. Found in Sri Lanka, Brazil and California, Hessonite exudes warmth and good vibes.
2. Tsavorite â Found exclusively in Africa, tsavorite is the worldâs 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 â The dazzling red pyrope is one of the best known members of the garnet family. In Arizona, pyrope is called âant-hill garnetâ 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 â With its decadent wine red color almandine jewelry looks like something out of Game of Thrones. Almandine along with pyrope make the âred garnetsâ, which  are the most popular.
5. Rhodolite â blessed with a flush of pink, rhodolite is named after the flower rhododendron. It is also referred to as the âQueen of garnetsâ as it is said to encapsulate an elusive, feminine beauty. Chemically, rhodolite isnât a specific type but falls somewhere between almandine and pyrope.
6. Malaya garnet â 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 âMalayaâ means âoutcastâ 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 Musafaâs lair, the stone is actually associated with good energy and is believed to have healing properties.
8. Demantoid â Demantoid has an even greater fire than Andradite. Itâs compelling green is immediately attractive; this Russian beauty combined with its rarity make it one of the most sought after gemstones.
9. Spessartine â Â With itâs color varying from soft orange to golden-yellow, Spessartine looks like a lozenge from outer space. It is also known as âmandarin garnetâ on account of its exquisite color. Â
10. Melanite â 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 GemsNYâs garnet jewelry and GIA certified loose gemstones collection.
