Garnet is a stone as ancient as it is covered in legends. There were legends about the magical properties of pomegranate in all the places where this stone was found. Its habitat is very wide: there are deposits in Asia, Europe, Africa and even America. Due to the fact that certain types of garnet come to the surface in the form of placers, many ancient peoples had the opportunity to become acquainted with them.
History and origin
It is impossible to tell the full story of the pomegranate briefly, it is too voluminous. A description of the stone is found in the records of medieval scribes from Europe, Persia and Arabia. It is found in gold jewelry of ancient Scythia; the inhabitants of ancient Rome were familiar with it, who gave the stone the name “carbuncle” and their neighbors, the Hellenes, who called it “anfrax”.
Garnet stone
The ancient Greeks most often worked with the dark variety of garnet. The name "anfrax" means "coal". At the same time, the ancients often called all minerals of red color, corresponding structure and transparency, garnet.
Noble spinel, some varieties of hyacinth and other scarlet or crimson crystals were confused with garnet (or, more precisely, they were not distinguished from it).
True, garnet has always been contrasted with ruby, which is harder and has a different, more perfect play of color. It began to be considered a true precious stone only in the 17th century; before that it had rather a utilitarian meaning. Ancient people valued the medicinal properties of the gem more, in particular the ability attributed to it to stop bleeding.
In Europe and the Middle East, mainly the red variety of stone was mined, two subspecies of which were later called pyrope and almandine. The mineral received its modern name thanks to the “Phoenician apple” - the pomegranate fruit tree, for the characteristic garnet color of its crystals. The word “granatus” itself means “grain-like” - referring to the dark red translucent grains of this plant. Only at the beginning of the Renaissance did scientists discover that garnets can be pink, purple, yellowish, colorless, and even black or green; the latter are sometimes confused with chrysolite.
In medieval Rus', this stone was called “bechet” or “venisa”, sometimes “worm” or “wormy yacht”.
For brunettes
Brunettes can also be divided into “warm” and “cold”. In this case, it is better to decide on the color type. For example, a “cold brunette” is the owner of blue-black hair or curls with a dark chocolate tint and an ashen tint. The eyes of such girls are green, blue or light brown, and their skin is pale, transparent and does not tan well. In this case, the bright garnet color will unnecessarily emphasize the lightness of the skin and give the face a sickly appearance. Therefore it is better to avoid it.
“Warm” brunettes have golden or even dark skin, and the shade of their hair has a copper, chestnut or straw tint. Bright eyes can be brown or black. Such brunettes even need to wear garnet color. It will perfectly highlight their bright personality and add sparkle to their eyes.
Physicochemical characteristics
From the point of view of physicists, chemists and geologists, all minerals of the garnet family have a complex molecular structure. The basis is silicon oxide in combination with various metals - mainly iron, manganese, magnesium, and less often aluminum and chromium. A separate group of garnets contains calcium and metal compounds.
The color of the crystal depends on the metal impurities. Iron gives a red color, manganese gives a yellowish color, aluminum lightens the color, and an admixture of titanium makes it black. Calcium garnets are mostly yellow or green.
Differences in the chemical composition have little effect on the properties of pomegranate; they are approximately similar in all types. This stone has a hardness of up to 7.5 Mohs, a vitreous luster and a medium density.
Garnet stones
| Formula | X3Y2Z3φ12, where X are elements in the dodecahedral position; Y – elements in octahedral position; Z – elements in tetrahedral position; φ – O, OH or F |
| Color | Very rarely colorless; mostly painted in different colors, with the exception of blue |
| Shine | Glass, greasy, resin, diamond |
| Transparency | Transparent, translucent, see-through |
| Hardness | 6 6,5 7 7,5 |
| Cleavage | Not visible |
| Kink | Conchoidal, uneven |
| Density | 3,4 — 4,3 |
Mining locations
The places where garnet is mined have different geological characteristics. Some subspecies of this mineral, for example pyrope, are mined along with diamonds, in diamondiferous rocks (kimberlite pipes). Such deposits are located in South Africa and Russian Yakutia. The most common subspecies, almandine, is found throughout the world in shale and gneiss rocks, both in the thickness of mountain ranges and in placers. Calcium garnets, such as grossular, are often found in limestone rocks.
In Russia, the largest concentrations of garnets are located on the Karelian Isthmus and on the Kola Peninsula, mainly almandines. In the Urals, a rare and beautiful uvarovite garnet is mined.
The largest garnet deposits in the world, besides our country, are located in the USA and Canada. They are found in Brazil, Madagascar, Finland, Azerbaijan and some European countries. But the gem mined there is distinguished by its unique color.
Colors and varieties
Classic garnets have all shades of red; this is their main distinguishing feature. Unlike ruby, the fruits of the “Phoenician apple” are not so transparent; they have a slight moiré haze. Some specimens are purple, some are black, others are distinguished by their play of green tint.
Main varieties of pomegranate:
- Pyrope. One of the few that matters in jewelry. Rich red color, closer to purple.
Pyrope stone - Almandine. The most common of all garnets. Red almandine differs from pyrope in its lighter shade, but the stone can also be purple and almost black.
Almandine stone - Spessartine is brownish, orange, sometimes yellow. Mined in Germany.
Spessartine stone - Grossular. In Latin - "gooseberry". It got its name because of its color similarity to gooseberries; it is the same greenish-brown with hints of yellow. There are grossulars of emerald shades.
Grossular stone - Uvarovite is a Ural garnet of rich emerald color.
The stone will boil down - Hessonite is the color of honey.
Hessonite stone - Andradite is a Brazilian variety of garnet. There are different colors - red, yellow, greenish.
Andradite stone - Melanitis is black.
Melanite stone - Leucogranate is a transparent stone. It is more important for industry than for jewelry.
Leucogranate stone
It is difficult to distinguish a garnet of an “unusual” color from another precious or semi-precious stone. This can only be done in the laboratory.
Artificial pomegranate
Since this stone is important for industry - from the manufacture of abrasives to the creation of laser emitters - they learned to synthesize it back in the first half of the 20th century. Artificial garnet is not a fake in the full sense of the word, since it was not originally intended for use in the jewelry industry.
Moreover, using high-quality synthetic garnets to imitate real ones is pointless: due to the nature of the production process, the price of an artificial garnet that looks similar to a natural one is comparable to the price of a natural one. But thanks to synthesis, it is possible to grow stones of any color and shade, for example, dark blue (such garnets do not occur in nature).
Synthetic stones are usually used for industrial needs. They are added as additives to mortars, used to create various elements in microelectronics, laser systems are constructed based on them, and so on.
Frost-resistant pomegranate varieties
Pomegranate is a heat-loving plant that feels comfortable in the tropics. Meanwhile, it is resistant to cold and can withstand short-term frosts down to -15 °C. However, even frost-resistant varieties cannot survive a long, cold winter. Temperature - 17 °C is critical for the crop. As a result of a decrease in temperature, the shoots on which the fruits form are primarily affected. The entire above-ground part freezes to the root collar. If the temperature drops even lower, the roots of the plant die.
Pomegranate performs well when the temperature in winter is higher - 15 °C. Trees can certainly live in cold regions, but they don’t always bloom. Average frost resistance means covering plants for the winter. The insulation process is simple, but necessary. Otherwise, the trees will die.
Ak Don Crimean
The variety can be easily recognized by the shape of the fruit and the shade of the peel. The color of the skin is yellow-red, with visible reddish patches. The fruit is strongly flattened at the poles, which clearly differs from other varieties. The size is large. The inside of this variety of pomegranate is bright yellow. The color of the grains is dark pink. There is sourness in the taste. The foliage is dark green, 5-7 cm long. The neck is short and thick. The tree is not tall, but wide. Ak Don Crimean does not cause much trouble to the gardener during the care process. They are grown in the steppe part of Crimea and Central Asia. The variety is considered mid-early. Harvest occurs at the end of October.
Red gulyusha
The size of the bush is 3 m in height. The weight of one fruit is 300-400 g. The grains are covered with a thin, pink film. The taste is sweet and sour. The variety is grown in Turkmenistan and Georgia. It ripens, as a rule, in October. The fruit can be stored for 3-4 months. Used to obtain pomegranate juice. Red galyusha grows and bears fruit in temperate climates, provided it is covered for the winter.
Galyusha pink
The pink variety of pomegranate appeared in Azerbaijan. The average weight of the fruit is 200-250 g. It has a more round shape. This variety of pomegranate is used to obtain juice. The yield of liquid product is 54%. Suitable for making sauces. The grains are pink in color and medium in size. Galyusha pink is famous for its interesting taste.
Nikitsky early
The pomegranate variety was bred in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, hence the name. A high-yielding species that requires shelter for the winter. Nikitsky early is successfully grown in the central regions of Ukraine. The bush is medium-sized. Height 2 m. Blooms profusely throughout the summer. Inflorescences are male and female. The fruits are large. The Nikitsky early variety has an external resemblance to the Ordinary pomegranate.
Medicinal properties
The healing properties are mainly attributed to the red varieties of this stone - pyrope and almandine, since these are the most ancient known subspecies of garnet.
Less often they talk about grossular.
The importance of garnet in lithotherapy is great, but you need to be aware that in most cases this does not mean any stones, but red ones. And their main property is based on the ancient rules of sympathetic magic. This means that like influences like - red as blood, the garnet has power over blood.
It means that:
- pomegranate can stop wound bleeding;
- it promotes accelerated regeneration;
- it normalizes blood pressure.
In addition, wearing a garnet in gold is beneficial for health as a preventive measure against colds - it prevents many pulmonary diseases. A stone set in silver is suitable for people who have weak immunity and, due to this, an increased risk of contracting a sore throat, pneumonia or other infectious diseases.
Gold ring with garnet
Pomegranate is able to give its owner vigor and vitality to cope with almost any illness or stress.
Some lithotherapists recommend wearing a gold garnet ring on the middle finger of the right hand as a way to relieve pain from frequent migraines.
Warm or cold?
In order not to make a mistake in choosing the color that suits you most, you need to know what kind of shade it is, warm or cold.
Since all colors are divided into warm and cold according to perception, they must be combined according to the same principle. The warmest color is considered to be the color of flames - orange, and the coldest shade of ice blocks is perceived - blue.
However, not everything is so simple in determining “temperature”. It would seem that blue, cyan and green colors are cold in their essence, and red, pink and yellow should be warm by definition. But all colors, due to the variety of shades, can be both warm and cold.
Garnet color is a derivative of red. But if we determine the “temperature” of this entire spectrum, then burgundy has a cold structure, just like the rich fuchsia color. But garnet is a warm, and even, one might say, hot shade.
Magic properties
The magical properties of the stone primarily include the ability described above to influence the blood, as well as fill its owner with energy and give strength for new achievements. No wonder rings with garnets were very popular among the crusader knights who fought in difficult and unusual conditions for Europeans.
The ancient magic of the pomegranate patronizes people who are strong, purposeful, but at the same time - the key condition - fighting for a good cause.
A person’s occupation can be anything - warrior, politician, businessman, artist. There are two key conditions: he must have a creative beginning, that is, bring something new into his activities, constantly improve and move forward, and he must not have evil, dark thoughts. Garnet is a stone of fair combat, frontal attack. He can destroy a swindler and an intriguer, lead him into a cycle of intrigues he has woven and confuse him. Often the gem brings such people to a severe mental disorder, which in the material sphere goes hand in hand with bankruptcy and ruin.
Red pomegranate helps those people who want to develop themselves and develop their business.
It is very important for the owner of this stone to have a clear, formulated goal, otherwise a “confused” stone will push the owner from side to side, in some cases even provoke diseases.
Pomegranate amulets, talismans and amulets are capable of:
- help the owner identify hidden enemies;
- heal wounds;
- protect from water hazards;
- help in love affairs, especially in winning the heart of an unapproachable girl;
- enhance the charisma and charm of the owner.
Please note: Garnet jewelry is dangerous for some people. This stone enhances the primitive nature of a person, awakens the predator, aggressor, and beast in him. In this way, it helps people suffering from a lack of aggression (in some life situations this is a minus), but those who are naturally aggressive, with a strong “beast” inside, are turned into monsters by the pomegranate.
Zodiac compatibility
Astrologers believe that according to the horoscope, garnet corresponds to the fire element, although in this case it means only the red variety of the stone. The garnet stone in different forms refers to different zodiac signs.
Red stones - pyrope and almandine - are suitable for Leo, Capricorn, Sagittarius, and to a lesser extent - Virgo. At the same time, he lacks compatibility with water signs, especially Pisces and Cancer. Taurus also does not like this mineral.
Grossular by zodiac sign is suitable for everyone. This is one of the most peaceful stones, but its strength is less than that of its scarlet counterparts.
| Zodiac sign | Compatibility |
| Aries | + |
| Taurus | — |
| Twins | + |
| Cancer | + |
| a lion | + |
| Virgo | + |
| Scales | + |
| Scorpion | +++ |
| Sagittarius | + |
| Capricorn | +++ |
| Aquarius | + |
| Fish | + |
(“+++” – fits perfectly, “+” – can be worn, “-” – is strictly contraindicated)
What is he talking about?
People who like to wear garnet color have certain personality traits. Thanks to its brightness and expressiveness, the same can be said about people who love this shade. They are bright individuals who enjoy being the center of attention. It is not for nothing that in the times of Ancient Rome, only representatives of a privileged society could wear a toga with bright garnet elements.
Garnet carries a huge charge of energy and passion. People who prefer it are very assertive and active, they can be vindictive and engage in narcissism. But at the same time, they remain hardworking and self-confident, always trying to strive forward.
Garnet color is essentially an exaggerated, deep red shade. Therefore, it can be safely associated with love and passion.
Compatibility with other stones
In this matter, everything is not easy for pomegranate. The fact is that different types of this stone belong to different elements. Pyrope, almandine, grossular are Fire stones. But, for example, uvarovite is the stone of Air. Fire and Air are friendly elements, but Fire, unlike Air, does not combine with Earth.
So, you can choose stones that suit each other according to this scheme. All grenades combine with:
- diamond and diamond;
- ruby;
- coral;
- pyrite;
- heliolite;
- rock crystal;
- topaz;
- amethyst;
- carnelian;
- golden beryl.
Garnet beads
You should not wear them with Water stones - a mutual contradiction will arise (not so strong in the case of uvarovite).
In jewelry, first of all, avoid combinations of garnet:
- with emerald;
- opal;
- aquamarine;
- moonstone;
- alexandrite;
- pearls;
- tourmaline;
- zircon.
In addition to uvarovite, it should also be used with caution. These include:
- jasper;
- chalcedony;
- agate;
- onyx;
- malachite;
- turquoise;
- obsidian;
- morion.
As well as other opaque minerals.
Other options
Having figured out your color type and found out what suits you, it’s worth considering what color garnet goes with.
One of the most noble and brightest is a shade that includes a little blue and brown in equal proportions. Due to the fact that garnet is warm, it is necessary to select warm colors for it. What could they be?
An excellent combination of garnet colors with neutrals such as black, white and gray. Its presence with white in equal proportions will balance the image and make it elegant and festive. Black and garnet will add sexuality to the image and make it fatal. The warm light gray color perfectly sets off the brightness of the garnet and gives it even more depth.
It is worth considering combinations of garnet with tones such as light pink, warm blue or beige. But it will be difficult to achieve a good combination of garnet and green shades. Here, perhaps, emerald-hued greenery would be suitable, but herbal paint would be too tacky a combination.
Application in products
Currently, the market is saturated with products containing garnet, mostly almandine. Such jewelry is worn mainly by women.
For men who want to look impressive, for example, gold or silver cufflinks with dark pyrope are made.
Excluding industrial applications, it is used as inserts in rings, earrings and pendants. Cut - cabochon or diamond. Sometimes the processing is reduced to a minimum: for example, heavy beads made from uncut, but only polished, red garnet look beautiful.
Pomegranate cufflinks
In addition, this stone was often used for precious inlays in luxury items.
How to spot a fake
The cost of a pomegranate is not very high, but it is counterfeited.
It is quite difficult to distinguish natural stone from synthetic stone.
Their hardness, density and shine are the same; moreover, synthetics can be harder. To determine the authenticity of a stone, use one of the following rules:
- rub a piece of stone on wool - a natural mineral, like an ebonite stick, becomes electrified, a synthetic one does not;
- natural stone has a heterogeneous color, and artificial stone has a bright color;
- Specimens larger than a coffee bean should be considered suspicious - such stones are rare in nature.
Natural stone differs from painted glass in hardness - it is much harder.
For redheads
The same principle applies to red-haired girls. Dividing them into “warm” and “cold” helps to choose the best combination of colors in clothes for them. If the shade of your red hair is not too bright, your skin is fair and your eyes are light, then you are a red-haired girl with a cool undertone. Red suits you, but not as bright as garnet. Among its shades, it is better to give preference to soft salmon, burgundy or cold raspberry.
But red-haired beauties of a warm type, who have bright hair color and golden skin with freckles, can safely, without hesitation, use a bright, garnet color in their clothes. Moreover, the curls can be from rich dark copper to fiery red (it’s good that modern coloring offers a wide selection of bright shades). Pomegranate color in clothes is your winning option, and it undoubtedly suits you.
How to wear and care
Rings with garnet are worn on the middle finger - if the frame is made of silver, then on the left hand, if made of gold, then on the right hand. There are no specific requirements for wearing beads, pendants or earrings, with the exception of combinations with other stones.
Gold ring with garnet
A dirty product should be washed with a weak soap or saline solution. You can add a couple of drops of ammonia. Wipe with a cloth, do not use hard sponges or abrasives. Store in a separate bag.
Recommendations for caring for gemstones
Pink garnet is quite dense, reliable and durable. You don't have to take special care of it. Regular polishing of products and cleaning of dirt and plaque will help preserve the natural shine and radiance of the mineral. You can polish with regular woolen cloth or suede, rubbing until shiny.
It is convenient to monitor the cleanliness of jewelry with stones using a special jewelry paste. The product not only easily and quickly removes traces of dirt and plaque, but also prolongs the life of products. Jewelers do not recommend using products with abrasive particles, such as salt, soda, cleaning powders, as well as reagents or acids.
In addition, it is extremely dangerous to try to boil jewelry to remove contaminants. Under the influence of high temperature, the stone will darken, lose its shine and, what is important, irrevocably.
Scratches resulting from improper cleaning and many years of active use of the stone can be removed in a jewelry workshop. To do this, the master will polish the stone. The deeper the scratches, the larger the layer that needs to be sanded.
