STORIES - The Versatile Garnet Group: from Fiery Red to Emerald Green

The garnet group is a fascinating colour palette of gemstones, each with its own character and radiance. Although many immediately think of garnet as a dark red gemstone, the reality is that there are many more beautiful colours.

A family of gemstones

What makes garnet unique is that it is not a single stone, but a group of related minerals. From intense red to vivid orange to emerald green. The garnet group has a stunning variety. There are five main types often used in jewellery:

·       Pyrope: deep wine-red to purplish red

·       Almandine: ruby red to reddish brown

·       Spessartine: vivid orange

·       Andradite: green, yellow-green to black

·       Grossulari: colourless to bright green, yellow and brown

·       Uvarovite: deep green colour, these are rarely faceted, which does make it special

 

Why jewellery lovers love garnet

Garnets are naturally vibrant in colour. Unlike many other gemstones, garnets are rarely treated or heated. So what you see is pure nature. The intensity of their colours makes them expressive in jewellery.

Thanks to their colour variation, garnets can be used in both classic designs such as a brooch and modern designs.

It is also nice that garnets, like almandine or hessonite, are more affordable than ruby or emerald, even though they exude just as much character. On the other hand, rare garnets like demantoid and tsavorite are actually highly sought after by high-end collectors.

Symbolism & meaning

Throughout history, garnet was seen as a symbol of love, strength and protection. Travellers wore garnet as a talisman against danger. In the Middle Ages, the stone was believed to strengthen the heart. To this day, garnet is January's birthstone and a popular gift for second wedding anniversaries.

Wondering what byJACKY has to offer from this special mineral group?

Explore our collection or make an appointment for a personal introduction to the beauty of garnet.