A glittering stone that’s incredibly popular, garnet is one of the more common gems on the market. However, common doesn’t mean boring, as you’re about to find out!
Garnet is the collective name for a group of minerals. This varied mineral group makes the stone diverse and contributes to the wide range of red and orange colours. These stones have been around for over 5000 years, so they’ve certainly stood the test of time. They’re commonly used in jewellery and are often confused with rubies.
Jump To a Section Below
- Where Are Garnet Stones Found?
- How Much Is A Garnet Stone Worth?
- How Is A Garnet Stone Formed?
- What Are The Properties Of Garnet?
- What Is The Meaning Of Garnet Stone?
- What Does Garnet Mean Spiritually?
- What Chakra Is Garnet Associated With?
- Who Can Wear Garnet Stone?
- Where to Buy Garnet Online?
- How Can You Tell If A Garnet Is Real?
- Are Garnet And Ruby The Same?
- Garnet As The January Birthstone
- Where To Buy Garnet Stone?
- Origins Alone Make It A Remarkable Stone
Where Are Garnet Stones Found?
Due to its abundance and availability worldwide, garnet stone come in many forms and varieties. Currently, most of these gems come from the USA, India, Sri Lanka and Brazil, but they have been mined on almost every continent in the past.
How Much Is A Garnet Stone Worth?
When determining the value of any gem, there are several factors you need to consider. Garnet stone prices are influenced by:
- The carat weight – how much the stone weighs and not how big it looks.
- The colour of the gem – the vibrancy of the gem and how close it is to spectral red will increase the value of the stone.
- The quality of the cut should enhance the colour. The facets need to line up to ensure the brilliance of the gem.
Because they are available in so many different colours, garnet stone prices can vary dramatically. They tend to range from around $500 a carat with inclusions, up to around $7000 per carat for the larger, clean stones. The most valuable garnet is Demantoid and it’s priced near the top of the spectrum.
How Is A Garnet Stone Formed?
Garnet refers to a group of minerals including:
You can find them in sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks and in magma chambers, volcanic eruptions and lava flow. It’s also present in the soil formed when rocks bearing garnet break down.
The garnet stone forms when sedimentary rock that’s rich in aluminium experiences heat and intense pressure.
What Are The Properties Of Garnet?
The garnet is famous for its glossy glow and wide variety of colours. It’s most often found with red colouring, although it can be green or brown too. When you hold one of the stones against the light, yellow and green bands are visible This is the easiest way to identify whether or not a stone is a garnet.
What Is The Meaning Of Garnet Stone?
This gem is a symbol of love and is often associated with life force, blood, heart and inner fire.
What Does Garnet Mean Spiritually?
Garnet restores balance, protects and strengthens. It’s also a powerful energy source.
What Chakra Is Garnet Associated With?
Red garnet stones are associated with the heart chakra. It’s more intense than other love related stones, for example, rose quartz or jade. If you’re looking to attract love and positivity, include this stone in your life.
Who Can Wear Garnet Stone?
People who have low energy levels will benefit from wearing this stone. The gem is effective in attracting positive things in life and can help you practice manifestation. If you’re looking to make a change in life, the garnet stone can assist you in manifesting this change.
Garnet also provides luck in all aspects of life and promotes self-love. This ensures that you live a happy, well-balanced life.
Where to Buy Garnet Online?
There are plenty of places to buy this gem online. From specialty online shops to online giants like Amazon.
Our recommendation is to browse Amazon first to get a sense of prices, variety, and quality. Then do a detailed comparison online. Another specialty retailer is TinyRituals, which only sells gemstones of grade AA or higher.
How Can You Tell If A Garnet Is Real?
Synthetic garnets are carefully designed and created in a lab setting. This ensures that their natural and chemical qualities are in line with that of the original. As a result, these stones are often too perfect, making them easy to identify. While they may be blemish-free, they’ll lack the characteristics that make them so unique.
Artificial garnets will melt or have their colour fade when exposed to boiling water.
While the condition of the stone will determine its value, don’t be fooled into buying a perfect specimen. They’re often artificial and have a lower value. Natural stones will have imperfections. It’s one of the elements that make them so unique and easy to identify.
Are Garnet And Ruby The Same?
While garnets appear red and are often mistaken for a ruby, there are easy ways to tell the two apart. The garnet is a darker, denser red with hues of earthy tones. The two stones also offer different points of reflection.
The ruby is a harder, more durable stone. They’re a more vibrant red with hues of blue and purple. It’s more expensive than a garnet, which makes knowing the difference important.
An easy way to tell the difference is to hold the stone up to a light source. If you see green and yellow bands, it’s a garnet. The ruby absorbs those colours and as a result, they won’t be visible when held to the light.
Related Reading: How Much Are Rubies Worth? 7 Fascinating Facts About Ruby Gemstones
Garnet As The January Birthstone
The beautifully diverse garnet stone is both the traditional and modern January birthstone. It’s seen as a symbol of trust, friendship and love. The extraordinary array of garnet stone colours makes it a great choice for jewellery as there’s sure to be a hue that suits everyone born in this month.
Where To Buy Garnet Stone?
There are plenty of places to buy Garnet Stone online. From specialty online shops to online giants like Amazon.
Our recommendation is to browse Amazon first to get a sense of prices, variety and quality. Then
do a detailed comparison online. Below are a few examples to give you some starting ideas.
Natural Red Garnet Stones Check latest prices |
Garnet Gemstone Bolo Bracelet Check latest prices |
Origins Alone Make It A Remarkable Stone
Garnet stones form when a sedimentary rock rich in aluminium experiences heat and intense pressure. This often takes place in volcanic environments and gives the stone its unique colour.
The way they form also contributes to their hardiness, which is part of what makes them such an excellent choice for jewellery. They’re not prone to chipping easily and their vibrant colours make them stand out beautifully.
Garnet stone benefits and their beauty make them an excellent choice for anyone who loves a little fire or flair in their lives.
Find out about other red stones in the List of Red Gemstones.
Chermaine’s journey into the world of gemstones and crystals began as a child, collecting shimmering stones on family vacations. Today, she’s a certified gemologist and spiritual healer, intertwining the physical beauty of jewels with their metaphysical properties.
Chermaine has traveled to mines in Africa, marketplaces in India, and spiritual retreats in Bali, always seeking to deepen her understanding.