Garnet, Birthstone for January

Mali Garnet

Garnet is the birthstone for January. Traditionally known for its deep red colour. However, Garnets can vary from pink, through red, to orange, yellow, green and black. Recent finds have now added blue to the myriad of colours. So for someone with a birthday in January the choice of colour and colour combinations is vast. I deliberately headed this post with a green Mali Garnet to prove the point that the birthstone for January does not have to be red.

The name "garnet" comes from the Latin word for pomegranate, which reflects the gem's resemblance to the fruit's seeds. 

Burton includes it in his catalogues of antidotes to melancholy ‘Granatus: a precious stone so-called because it is like the kernels of a Pomegranate, an unperfect kind of Ruby, it comes from Calicut; if hung about the neck………., it much resisteth sorrow, and recreates the heart.

C. Nelson Stewart lists garnet as a Stone of the Sixth Ray. The Sixth Ray is associated with Bhakti Yoga, which emphasizes selfless service, devotion, and altruistic love.

Garnet is often associated with the root chakra for grounding and security. It symbolises protection, strength, friendship, and love.  

It is a noted manifesting crystal for a new job. Particularly as it can be an aid to self-confidence.

The Ancients revered garnet as it is said to have the ability to forewarn of impending danger by losing its lustre. They also believed it could remove anger.

Garnets are said to protect the wearer from poisoning and illness of the blood.  Perhaps associated with the blood colour of the common garnet – pyrope.

This was highlighted by George Frederick Kunz in his book ‘The Curious Lore of Precious Stones’ (1913) that ‘the symbolism of color played a very important part in recommending the use of particular stones for special diseases’.

According to Michael’s Gemstone Dictionary garnets have different spiritual uses depending on variety. Almandine; for productivity, staying focused, promotes prosperity. Pyrope; happiness & abundance. Rhodolite; promotes productivity and prosperity in career.  Spessartite; involved with focusing on the home; ie grounded & rooted in the home, the importance of family. Boosts self-confidence and decreases self-depreciation and arrogance.

THE SCIENCE

Garnets are a very complex group of gemstones.

They are an Isomorphous series, ie they have the same crystal structure, cubic,  but with varying chemical mix.

This continuous blend can, for example, create a mid way garnet type. For example the popular Rhodolite garnet above is a  Pyrope-Almandine mix.

Most of the more common Garnets fall into two groups: Pyralspites and Ugrandites. Pyralspites are the aluminum Garnets and Ugrandites are the calcium Garnets.

Pyralspite Garnet Group: The Pyralspites include Pyrope, Almandine and Spessartine. The name Pyralspite comes from Pyrope, Almandine, Spessartite. This includes the vast majority of gemstone garnets.  There is a complete solid solution series between Pyrope, Almandine and Spessartine. These Garnets are often mixed. Malaia is a Pyrope-Spessartine mix and Rhodolite is a Pyrope-Almandine mixture.

 Ugrandite Garnet Group: The Garnets with the widest color range fall into the Ugrandite Garnet Group. are the calcium Garnets.The Ugrandites include Uvarovite, Grossular and Andradite. The name Ungrandite comes from Uvarovite,Grossular and Andradite. There is a complete solid solution series between Uvarovite, Grossular and Andradite. As with Pyralspites these Garnets are often mixed. Grandite (or Mali Garnet) is a mixture of Grossular and Andradite.

 Garnet Physical Properties: General garnet composition: A3B2(SiO4)3, where Ca, Mg, Fe2+, or Mn2+ occupy the A site, and the B site contains Al, Fe3+ or Cr3+. Hydrous garnets may contain up to 8.5% H2O.

Chemical Composition:

Pyralspite Garnet Group

Almandine: Fe3Al2(SiO4)3

Pyrope: Mg3Al2(SiO4)3

Spessartine: Mn3Al2(SiO4)3

Ugrandite Garnet Group

Andradite: Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3

Grossular: Ca3Al2(SiO4)3

Uvarovite: Ca3Cr2(SiO4)3

There are far less common types, which are rarely if ever found in jewellery. There are even garnets from space, such as Majorite which was discovered in a meteorite.

With such a wide diversity in chemical composition other properties such as hardness are varied. The benchmark for hardness is MOHS scale. With Talc at 1 as the softest and Diamond at 10 as the hardest. The scale is (1) Talc, (2) Gypsum, (3) Calcite, (4) Fluorspar, (5) Apatite, (6) Orthoclase feldspar, (7) Quartz, (8) Topaz, (9) Corundum, (10) Diamond.

The most common Garnets have a hardness rating as follows: Almandine (7.5), Andradite (6.5), Grossular (7.0 – 7.5), Pyrope (7.25), Spessartite (7.25), Uvaroite (7.5)

I hope you enjoyed this article. I’d appreciate a comment (even if it’s ‘can we have less science and more esoteric next time’). It all helps. Until the next time.

‘May your Garnet always shine’.

Steve Jordan

References:

Crystals & Gemstones of the Seven Rays, C.Nelson Stewart, 1939.

The Anatomy of Melancholy, Robert Burton, 1621.

Crystal Healing, Edmund Harold, 1986.

Precious Stones, A H Church F.R.S, 1882.

The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, George Frederick Kunz, 1913.

Michael’s Gemstone Dictionary, Judithann H. David & JP Van Hulle, 1990.