Enjoy the brilliant and natural colors of garnet

Colors: Mainly hues of red, but can be any color but blue
Substance: Semi-precious silicate stones
Moh’s scale of hardness: 7-7.5
Derivation: the Latin word "granatum" meaning "pomegranate."
Scientific Formula: (Mg, Fe, Ca or Mn) with Al₂Si₃O₁₂

Photo: Andradite variety Colophonite in wollastonite (Garnet Group) (Iron calcium silicate) Location: Willsboro, Essex County, New York (right). Photo by Dave Dyet

If you enjoy deep reds, earthy gems, or warm autumnal colors, then you might fall in love with garnet jewelry. Most people know that it comes in that deep red, but the fact that it comes in many colors is less known. It ranges anywhere from yellow to caramel to green to orange to red.

Garnets can make for great and lasting gifts, particularly for certain occasions. It is the January birthstone and the gemstone for the 2nd and 40th (along with rubies for the 40th) anniversaries.

Photo: Uvarovite - Garnet from the Ural Mountains in Russia (left). Photo by Dave Dyet

These stones come mainly from African countries, but also from Russia, India, and central and south America. They have a natural beauty and an amazing brilliance which gives them widespread appeal, and the great thing is, they're brilliant, but a lot less costly than other brilliant and colorful gems. This combined with their beauty makes them great jewelry for everyday wear as well as for dress attire, and also makes them lovely and lasting gifts!

For more information about garnets or related products, choose from one of the following links:

Jewelry | Rings | Gifts

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Did you know??

It is thought that birthstones originated when Aaron, first high priest of the Hebrews, wore 12 gemstones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, in his silver breastplate.

Editor's Pick

Looking for gift ideas? One of my favorites is giving dangly charm bracelets with a few charms that feature passions of the recipient. That leaves them with the choice of adding more, and with a lasting and personal gift.

-Jennifer H, editor