How to Choose a Garnet

When most people picture garnets, they think of a deep, red gemstone. That’s no surprise – before modern gemology, red was believed to be the only color garnet came in.

Today, we know better.

Yes, these are ALL garnets! Picture credit: @giagrams

Garnets actually appear in nearly every color of the rainbow, making them one of the most versatile – and underrated – gemstone in jewelry.

If you are shopping for garnet or simply want to understand what makes on so special, here’s what to look for.

What Colors Do Garnets Come In?

Garnets are unique because they span an incredible color range, including:

·       Red and purplish red

·       Pink and pinkish orange

·       Orange, yellow, and golden hues

·       Soft mint green to vibrant emerald-like green

·       Brown, cinnamon, and reddish brown tones

If color is your priority when choosing a gemstone (and it should be), garnet offers options you won’t find anywhere else.

What Types of Garnets are Used in Jewelry?

Although there are over 20 garnet species, only five are commonly used in fine jewelry.

Here’s what to know about each:

Almandine and Pyrope Garnet

·       Most commonly associated with classic, red garnets

·       Can range from deep red to purple

·       When mixed, they form Rhodolite Garnet, know for it’s rich, purplish-red color

What to look for: Saturated color and good transparency

Spessartine Garnet

·       Found in orange, yellow, and golden shades

·       When mixed with Pyrope, it creates Malaya Garnet, which ranges from pink to pinkish orange

What to look for: Bright, lively color – dull tones reduce value

Grossular Garnet

This species has the widest color range of all garnets.

·       Tsavorite Garnet: Vivid green, named after the Tsavo National Park in Tanzania

·       Mint Garnet: Soft, pastel green

·       Hessonite Garnet: Warm tones of red, orange, brown, or cinnamon

What to look for: Even color and minimal cloudiness

Andradite Garnet (Demantoid)

·       The rarest and most valuable garnet species

·       Intense green to yellow-green color

A horsetail inclusion consists of golden, wispy fibers radiating from a central point – and it is only found in Demantoid Garnets.

What to look for: A visible horsetail can actually increase value

Are Garnets Treated?

One of the most fascinating things about garnets is that they are typically not treated.

While many gemstones undergo heat or other treatments to enhance color or clarity, garnets are one of the rare gemstones that are usually found exactly as nature created them.

The natural beauty is part of what makes garnets so special.

How to Choose the Right Garnet for You

When selecting a garnet, keep these tips in mind:

·       Color is king: Choose the color that speaks to you most

·       Rarity matters: Demantoid and Tsavorite Garnets are harder to find

·       Think beyond tradition: Garnets offer colors you may not see in other gemstones

If you are searching for a gemstone in a specific color, garnet is always worth exploring – you just might discover something unexpected.

I’d love to help you find the perfect color of garnet! Angela Cisneros Jewelry Concierge brings back the joy and confidence of jewelry shopping, so that you can celebrate with ease! My by-appointment approach means:

• One-on-one appointments (personal attention and no crowds!)

• Discretion and privacy (surprises remain surprises!)

• Expert help from a Graduate Gemologist with 28 years of experience (yep, that’s me!)

Learn more about me and my process: www.AngelaCisneros.com 

Book your FREE appointment with me today! www.AngelaCisneros.com/book-appointment