What do pomegranates have to do with garnets? Garnet’s name comes from the Latin word granatum, meaning “pomegranate.” More specifically, garnet refers to the vibrant red seeds of the pomegranate fruit — but while Rhodolite and Mozambique garnet may be the most widely known shades, garnet actually comes in a rainbow of colors. As it turns out, January’s birthstone is quite versatile, having a shade for each Capricorn and early-bird Aquarian.
This Sell with a Story, we’re focusing on three varieties that will have you and your customers green with envy: tsavorite, demantoid, and mint green garnet.
Tsavorite Garnet
Tsavorite comes in vibrant green hues, with some individual gems even rivaling emerald. For this reason, it is considered an alternate birthstone for May.
Most tsavorite gets its color from vanadium. But a deposit in Kenya’s Kuranze area yields tsavorite with chromium, giving them exceptional color with hints of blue.
Tsavorite has a long, rich history since its 1961 discovery. Visit Sell with a Story: Tsavorite Garnet for the in-depth analysis.
Demantoid Garnet
Demantoid garnet is among the rarest garnet varieties. Renowned for its rich hue, demantoid garnet ranges from lush, vivid green to a striking yellow green that’s reminiscent of peridot.
The finest of these gems come from three mines in Russia’s Ural Mountains. Demantoid Garnet has been found in other countries — Namibia and Madagascar — but the gems from Russia are the finest. Remarkably, demantoid garnet boasts a higher dispersion rate than diamond.
Mint Green Garnet
Mint grossular garnet is also known as mint garnet and, sometimes, Merelani mint garnet — named for being discovered in Tanzania’s Merelani Hills.
This gem has a refreshing, pastel green color that hides a shocking secret: when exposed to ultraviolet light, it transforms from green to fluorescent pink and orange! This is thanks to the trace amount of chromium locked away in mint garnet’s molecular structure.
How to Care for Garnet Jewelry
- Garnet is rated “good” for everyday wear.
- Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature.
- To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
- Never use a steamer to clean garnet jewelry.
The green garnet varieties are prized as gemstones of creativity, positive energy, self-confidence, and success. Who wouldn’t want a piece of garnet jewelry?
Shop garnet gemstones on Stuller.com.
