Today, garnet is known as the official birthstone of January. Although the stone is no longer gifted to ensure a safe return, it is used as a symbol of love and continued happiness. In fact, garnet is known as the gift for both the second and sixth wedding anniversary. In addition, Garnet's modern day powers are said to include healing, strength and protection.

Garnet is the name of a whole family of minerals that come in a full rainbow of colors; each with a similar crystal structure but slightly different chemical compositions.

History of Garnet Gemstone

Known for its rich red hues and renowned beauty, garnets have been considered a prize possession since the Bronze Age. In fact, the oldest dating garnet was found on a man who was buried in 3000 B.C. Although the stone’s significance and perceived meaning has changed throughout the centuries, the allure of garnet has remained the same.

Named from the Latin word “garanatus” which means “seed like,” garnet is said to resemble the tiny red seeds of a pomegranate. Due to the remarkable color of the stone, garnet was appreciated and utilized in both Eastern and Western society. Although garnet is solely used for jewelry and aesthetic purposes in modern society, that wasn’t always the case. During the Middle Ages, garnet was used as a cure for the Black Plague. The stone was also believed to prevent arguments, ensure faithfulness and warn the wearer of approaching danger by changing colors. However, medieval Europeans weren’t the first civilization to believe that garnet held power.

Historically, the Czech Republic was the world’s largest garnet source. Today, the stone can be found on numerous continents around the world. As a result, it is a beloved stone and often-treasured piece of jewelry.

How Much Is Garnet Worth?

The price of garnet can range from very affordable to extremely expensive. Its value depends on several key factors.

1. Variety

Some garnets are rare and costly, while others are common and budget-friendly. Demantoid and Tsavorite are the most valuable types and can cost thousands of dollars per carat. Mandarin garnet is also expensive when the color is bright. Rhodolite and high-quality pyrope or hessonite are mid-priced. Common red garnets like almandine are widely available and affordable.

2. Color

Bright, vivid colors increase a garnet’s value. Pure green, rich purplish-red, and bright mandarin orange garnets are more valuable than dull or brownish tones.

3. Clarity

Clear and transparent garnets are more valuable than cloudy or opaque ones. Some inclusions, like the “horsetail” in demantoid garnet, can actually increase value.

4. Carat Weight

Larger garnets usually cost more. Rare garnets like tsavorite and demantoid become much more expensive as size increases.

5. Cut

A good cut improves brilliance and shine, making the garnet more valuable.

6. Origin

Garnets from famous sources, such as Russian demantoid or Kenyan tsavorite, often have higher value.

Healing Properties 

Red garnet is believed to have powerful healing properties, both physically and emotionally. Here are some of the key ways this stone can benefit wellbeing:

Physical Healing

Blood Disorders: Garnet is thought to help cleanse and purify the blood. It may assist with conditions involving the spleen, heart or lungs. 

Heart: This stone is believed to strengthen, stimulate and balance the heart chakra. It may help regulate heart rhythms and blood pressure.

Lungs: Garnet has a long history of use for lung conditions. It is thought to act as a decongestant, alleviate asthma, and reduce inflammation.

Emotional Healing

Confidence: The bold red hue of garnet makes it a stone of strength and confidence. It can help overcome fears and realize inner power.

Passion: Garnet may ignite romantic and creative passion. It inspires love, intimacy, sensuality and devotion.

Motivation: This stone is known to stimulate the root chakra, igniting motivation and drive. It helps achieve goals with persistence.

Anxiety: Garnet can alleviate emotional turmoil, anger, panic and anxiety. It promotes positive thinking and inner peace.

How to Tell If a Garnet is Real?

If you’re considering buying garnet gemstones or garnet jewelry, knowing how to distinguish real garnet from imitations is important. This knowledge helps you make informed purchases and avoid fakes or low-quality products.

Color observation: Natural garnet’s color is usually not perfectly uniform and may show subtle variations. Synthetic or dyed garnets often have colors that are too uniform and overly vivid.

Internal inclusions: Natural garnets often contain internal inclusions such as needle-like inclusions or fluid inclusions. These inclusions are evidence of natural formation. A completely inclusion-free garnet might be synthetic.

Hardness test: Garnet has a hardness of about 6.5–7.5 and can scratch glass but can be scratched by quartz. This simple test can provide an initial indication of authenticity.

Specific gravity test: Garnet stone has relatively high specific gravity (3.5–4.3) and will feel noticeably heavier in hand than glass of the same size.

Professional appraisal: For valuable garnet gemstones, it’s recommended to send them to a professional gemological lab for identification and to obtain an authoritative certificate.

Garnet Gemstone in Jewelry

Garnet gemstone has wide applications in jewelry thanks to its favorable physical properties and beautiful colors, making it a favorite among designers. From traditional designs to modern innovations, garnet shows unique charm.

Garnet Rings

Garnet rings are among the classic uses. At LUO Jewelry, red garnets are often made into engagement rings and wedding rings, symbolizing eternal love. Their deep red color makes them an ideal choice for celebrating important moments.

Besides traditional round and oval cuts, our designers use various creative cuts—such as pear, marquise, and emerald cuts—to maximize a garnet’s beauty. To better showcase a garnet’s brilliance, we also use contemporary settings like bezel-less (halo-free), prong, and micro-pavé techniques, and combine garnets with other gemstones or materials to create distinctive visual effects. For example, pairing red garnet with diamonds, pearls, or colored gemstones results in finely crafted pieces of art.

Garnet Necklaces

Garnet necklaces have long been popular historically. Victorian-era garnet necklaces with intricate designs remain collectors’ treasures today. At LUO Jewelry, our garnet necklace designs are more minimal and fashionable, suitable for everyday wear.

Garnet Earrings

Garnet earrings range from simple studs to elaborate drop styles. Red garnet’s color works especially well as the main stone in earrings because it flatters the wearer’s skin tone and hair color. Red garnet earrings are also particularly suitable for formal occasions, adding elegance and charm.

How to Care for Garnet?

Although garnet is relatively durable, it still requires proper care. This is the most important lesson after owning a garnet crystal!

How to Clean Garnet Rings?

Gently scrub the garnet ring with mild soapy water and a soft brush (such as an old toothbrush), then rinse with clean water and pat dry with a soft cloth. Avoid using strong acids or alkaline cleaners, as these can damage the surface of the garnet.

Do not use steam cleaners or ultrasonic cleaners. While the garnet ring is generally stable, ultrasonic vibrations can worsen tiny internal fractures that may already exist, especially in demantoid or tsavorite garnets that contain inclusions.

Conclusion

Red garnet is a powerful and versatile stone with a rich history and deep symbolic meaning. This guide has only scratched the surface of all that garnet has to offer. 

Garnet stimulates our energy, passion and inner fire. It clears negative energy from our lives and bestows confidence, willpower and drive. For those seeking profound transformation, garnet can be a catalyst for major change and growth.

With its protective qualities and ability to heal on many levels, red garnet deserves a place in every gemstone collection. Take some time to establish a connection with its vibrant energy. Let garnet infuse your life with its glow. 

When working with crystals, trust your intuition. Garnet will reveal itself to you in its own unique way. Be open to receiving its gifts and you’ll unlock the full potential of this marvelous stone.

Garnet truly has something to offer every seeker of wisdom. Allow it to support you on your personal journey