The Details:
The name "garnet" derives from the Latin for
"grain" because of its rounded crystals. And the term
refers to a "group" of a half-dozen different
"species" that all have essentially the same crystal
structure. But their chemical composition may differ, resulting in
different "series" within the group. There are six species
of common garnets based on ideal end-member chemical compositions.
These six species are divided into two groups; the pyralspite group
which are the pure chemical end-members Fe3Al2(SiO4)3 (almandine),
Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 (pyrope) and Mn3Al2(SiO4)3 (Spessartine), and the
ugrandite group or calcium garnet group consisting of Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3
(andradite), Ca3Al2(SiO4)3 (grossular), and Ca3Cr2(SiO4)3
(uvarovite). Garnet is allochromatic, meaning that most of the color
variations in different garnets are due to their highly variable
trace element impurities rather than to their bulk composition
elements. The color we see in garnets is produced when light is
selectively absorbed by these ions or by interactions between these
ions (intervalent charge transfers)
The Structure:
Garnet is a silicate mineral that has a vitreous (glassy) luster. All
minerals are classified into six different crystal systems based on
the shapes of their smallest unit cells. They are isometric (also
called cubic), tretragonal, orthorhombic, monoclonic, triclinic, and
hexagonal. Garnets are the first of these, i.e., isometric. Such
crystals are cube shaped and tend to have equal dimensions. They have
three crystallographic axes of equal length, each perpendicular to
the other two. They have no cleavage but display a conchoidal
fracture, so are somewhat brittle and tend to chip easily. Yet garnet
jewelry will give many years of wearing pleasure if cared for properly.
The Lore:
Red Garnets are sidewinder missiles? A far cry from use as jewelry,
but some Asiatic tribes and some North American Indians used them as
bullets believing the would seek blood and inflict deadlier wounds.
But on the flip side of the coin, ancient apothecaries ground garnets
into powder and used them as a poultice -- red for fever; yellow for
jaundice. They were also thought to stop bleeding, cure inflammatory
diseases, and settle the nerves. But for some, if the garnet lost its
luster, that was a signal of impending doom. For Christians, the red
garnet symbolizes Christ's blood. For Islamics, garnets illuminate
the fourth heaven. Garnets trace its roots as a gemstone to the Nile
Delta in 3100 B.C., where Egyptian artisans would craft garnets into
beads or inlay garnet into hand-wrought jewelry. In more modern
times, garnet is the birthstone for January. Garnet may be given as a
gem on the 2nd and 6th wedding anniversary.
The Myths:
Legend has it, that Noah suspended a finely cut, glowing garnet to
illuminate the ark. In medieval times garnets were thought to cure
depression, protect against bad dreams and relieve diseases of the
liver and hemorrhages. The Amazon women were said to been empowered
by the garnets they wore on their breastplates. They were popular for
jewelry in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was a mark of distinction
to use slices of garnet in the windows of churches and temples.
Garnet is the stone of new beginnings, especially because it is the
birthstone of January. Garnet is given and received as a symbol of
consistency, perseverance, and good health. It is a power stone, and,
according to legend, it guides its wearer when he's traveling at
night. This is a stone of commitment and fidelity, especially for
women (this is one of the reasons it was so popular in jewelry).
Wearing the red garnets, because they are the color of blood,
promotes good circulation, especially in the lower half of the body.
Thus, they are also good for fertility. They help promote passion
between lovers. Wearing the green garnets promotes great vitality and
growth as well as attracting abundance.
