GARNETS
Birthstone: January
Wedding Anniversary: second
Garnets are a closely related group of gemstones that are hard, durable, brilliant and found in every colour and shade except blue. The name garnet probably comes from the Latin pomegranate.
Many ancient pieces of garnet jewellery are studded with tiny red stones that look like a cluster of pomegranate seeds, especially pieces from Czechoslovakia. One of the most popular garnets is the Rhodolite which ranges in colour from pink to purplish red. A saturated red garnet availble is the Pyrope garnet in tones of red ranging from a deep red to a very dark red known as the Almandine garnet. One of the most valued varieties of this species is the Grossular garnet in green colour known as the Tsavorite. Tsavorite is a transparent and lustrous green stone ranging from bright yellow green to grass green colour that was first discovered in Tanzania in 1968 and thereafter in Kenya. It is after the famous Tsavo National Park of Kenya that Tiffany and Co. of New York named the stone. Another rare green garnet is the legendary Demantoid which combines the beautiful bright green with a dazzling brilliance. It was, once upon a time, a favourite with the Tsars of Russia and is today much sought after. Another set of garnets growing very quickly in popularity are the bright orange Spessartites known as the Mandarin garnets due to their very bright orange colours. Hessonite and Spessartite are available most of the time in lovely golds, oranges and browns. The garnets that change colour in different lights are just starting to gain popularity as a fine alternative to a very expensive alexandrite. Colour change garnets show a beautiful red colour under an incandescent light and a lovely bluish green under a fluorescent lamp.
The garnet family represents friendship and the stone is often worn to protect the wearer from harm and is said to enhance his or her interactive skills. Garnets in legend light up the night and protect their owners from nightmares!
Garnets are mined in East Africa, Namibia, Russia, Pakistan, Nigeria.