The term garnet refers to a group of differently colored silicate minerals with similar crystal structure and chemical composition. The most common forms of garnet include pyrope (red with a brownish tint), almandite (red with a violet tint) and spessartite (red with an orange-brown tint). Generally associated with its red species, garnets come in almost every color except blue.
There are special varieties of garnets including star garnets - garnets that appear to have a star inside them - and stones whose color changes depending on whether they are seen in daylight or artificial light. This diversity of colors and types of garnets is due to unique combinations of elements within each particular gem, such as manganese, iron, and calcium.
Garnet Facts...
Garnet History and Lore...
The word garnet appears to come from the Latin punica granatum, which means pomegranate, since the garnet crystals resemble the bright red seeds of this fruit. The Greek myth about Persephone and Hades (click here to read this story) gave rise to the idea that garnet can heal the broken bonds between lovers. A gift of garnet is thought to be symbolic of love and the desire for a loved one's safe travel and speedy homecoming.
Garnet jewelry has been found dating back as far as the Bronze Age (3000 BC). Many early cultures believed that garnets were helpful in treating blood disorders and also offered protection in the afterlife. The garnet has long been known as the stone of warriors - believed to protect against - and inflict - deadly wounds, and to ensure victory. Even as late as the 1600s, doctors prescribed a tonic of red garnet to remove toxins, improve blood flow and stimulate the heart.
Garnet Healing Properties...
The garnet is thought to be particularly useful as a general tonic, helping to extract negative energy and transmute it into beneficial energy. It is said to purify and regenerate all body systems, especially the blood and heart. Due to their regenerating and warming attributes, garnets are believed not only to cleanse and renew, but also to protect, comfort, and inspire
