GARNET

What is Garnet

Garnet is not formed by single mineral but it is said to be a group of minerals that form such beautiful gem. Garnets are found in many colors, but most commonly known color is “Deep Red”.

All Garnets have same Crystal Structure but differ in Chemical Compositions. Garnet is a group of Silicate minerals, with a very rich history.

Garnet word goes back to 14^th century, it was a Middle English word “Gernet” which meant “Dark Red”. It is said that this word was taken from French language “Grenate” from Latin “Granatus”, from “Granum” which is known as “Grain”.

Garnet is also related to Pomegranate as its color and shape resembles with its seeds. Garnets are found in many colors Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink, Brown, Black and Colorless.

Garnet depending on the colors are called “Species” of Garnet because they show different colors due to different Chemical Compositions.

Garnets are formed due to immense heat and pressure on Metamorphic Rocks breaks the bonds and results in crystallization of minerals after Metamorphism especially where Shale is found.

It is a very long process the rocks after metamorphism produced tiny crystals of Garnet, which with the passage of time grow in sizes. While they ground the replace and add many surrounding minerals and form different types of Species.

Garnet is a semi-precious gemstone and it takes its place from 6.5 – 7.5 out of 10 on Mohs Hardness Scale depending on the Composition.

Types/Species of Garnet

Almandine

Almandine is the form or specie of Garnet which an Iron-Aluminum form of Garnet. It is wrongly state by the name Almandite by many.

Almandine is also known by the modern name Carbuncle which is Latin word, meaning “Live Coat” or “Burning Charcoal”.

This form of Garnet is of “Beautiful Red” transparent in color and is valued a lot and is the most commonly known as Garnet around the globe.

Pyrope

Pyrope is the form of Garnet which is an Aluminium Silicate and Magnesium is also found which might get replaced in part by Calcium.

Pyrope is a word derived from Greek”Pyropos” which means “Fire Like”. It has a beautiful Deep Red to Black color tone.

Spessartine

Spessartine is a form of Garnet that is composed by Manganese Aluminum. The word is derived from Spessart a place in Bavaria, a range of low wooden mountains.

Spessartine of Orange yellow color are found in Madagascar, which occur in low grade metamorphic Phyllites. Violet Red Spessartine are found in Rhyolites in Colorado and Maine.

Pyrope – Spessartine “Blue or Color Changing Garnet”

These are very rare form of Garnets and are said to resemble Alexandrite. They were first found in 1990s in Madagascar.

It changes its color depending on Light and Temperature. It changes from Blue to purple and has a high amount of Vanadium.

It is also found in USA, Russia, Tanzania, Turkey and Kenya. There are many varieties of Color changing Garnets which present color zones like Green, Blue, Brown, Beige and Pinkish.

Andradite

Andradite is a Specie of Garnet which is a Calcium Iron Garnet. It is found in many color shades Red, Yellow, Green or Brown.

Its different varieties are Topazolite which is Yellow or Green, Demantoid which is Green and Melanite which is Black.

Grossular

Grossular is a Specie of Garnet which is composed of Calcium Aluminum minerals. It is said that during process Calcium might be replaced in parts with Ferrous Iron.

Grossular is a word derived from Botanical name of Gooseberry, which is Grossularia and is of Green color. They are found in color shades White, Grey, Green, Orange and Brown.

Grossular Garnet is also known as Tsavorite, because it was extracted in 1960s from Tsavo area of Kenya. That’s why it was given this name to it.

Uvarovite

Uvarovite is a Specie of Garnet that is made of Calcium Chromium. It is a rare form of Garnet and is of Bright Green color. It is found in Ural Mountain Russia.

Origin of Garnet

Garnets are found in Russia, Namibia, USA, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Australia, China, India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, South Africa, Zambia and Pakistan.