What is the Grenate?

To continue our Discovery of semi -precious stones, I offer you the following article this week: What is garnet?

For information, if you have missed the previous ones, find them easily thanks to the following links:

What does turquoise represent?

What is the obsidian?

The benefits of tiger eye stone

Through this article, we will therefore approach multiple points such as its history, its Benefits and virtues, its different varieties and a whole bunch of other information that will help you to choose your stone better.

_______________

Origin and History

Mala Buddhist bracelet - Garnet (limited series "fa guo" edition)

Known for many years, Grenats have crossed history.

It would seem that this story begins with Théophraste (philosopher of ancient Greece) who had already called them Anthrax.

These are stones that have always been appreciated for their beauty and very often used to decorate jewelry.

In the time of the Romans

Grenats already existed and were called skirmish (Dark red garnet).

Whether in Greece, Rome or ancient Egypt, we found the cut grenats are forms of faces or animals.

From a religious point of view

If we believe the Bible, Noah would have used a lantern of Garnet To direct his ark in the darkness of the flood. As for the Koran, the fourth heaven would be made up of a snails.

Vikings and Grenats

They used them during funeral ceremonies. According to them, this stone had the ability to guide the dead towards "Le Valhalla", their paradise.

In the 18th century

It is said that European courtiers loved Bohemia Grenats ...

The Principality of Hunza (northern Pakistan) went under British control in 1891. The warriors then decided to shoot the British in cashmere with bullets of garnet. For what ? Because they believed that their red color blood gave them a more deadly character. 

_______________

What does the “garnet” name mean?

His name simply comes from the Latin "Malum Granatum" which means "grain fruit". It turns out that its Flamboying red color Recalls the grains contained in the grenade.

Another story also seems to say that its name is due to the rounded shape of the first crude stones found, which were very similar to the appearance of a grain.

_______________

Mineralogical characteristics

Garnet represents a family of minerals that belong to the family of crystallizing born.

It is a family that is made up of Several varieties of stones, which can be translucent or not transparent depending on the models.

These stones have a hardness of 6 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale and a density of 3.5 to 4.3.

Mala Tibetan artisanal in garnet pearls

Where to find the “garnet”?

As we have already seen in the articles devoted to other stones, the deposits are sometimes complicated to find.

The advantage with Garnet The deposits are abundant. It is also found in France, on the side of the island of Groix in Brittany.

But also in India, Tanzania, Madagascar, Russia, Canada, Brazil and many other places!

These minerals are found in:

• Magmatic rocks;
• Pegmatites;
• Metasomatic rocks by contact with magma;
• Crystalline shales.

_______________

Colors and different types of garnet

The most regularly you will find this stone in A red color.

However, there are many varieties due to the chemical composition of this mineral, you have in particular:

• The garnet of Mozambique, it is the best known variety, that which presents itself under the red color, close to that of a dark ruby.

• Malaya's garnet, it is only exploited in East Africa and is recognizable by its intense orange color. For the record it is a variety that has long been underestimated on the market (until 1960), hence its name which means "outlaw".

• Garnet Almandin, Is used to protect the house and make it more welcoming, it also helps to treat the skin.

• GRENAT SPESSARTITEPresent itself in orange tones, it is used to facilitate the circulation of emotions and help fertility and pregnancy.

• Raspberry rhodolite garnet, it is in red tones and represents the most precious variety that exists today on the market.

• Pyrope garnet (brown/red tones) has the particularity of fighting depression and bringing motivation.

• Garnet Magenta, it is the Almandin molecules and the small inclusions of chrome present in the gem that gives this color.

• Dismantoid garnet, discovered in 1855. This garnet owes its color or chrome and/or iron, it brings strength, stability and balance to its carrier.

• Garnet tsavorite comes from Kenya and is often compared to the Emerald.

• Changing garnet (very rare variety), you just have to place it in the light of a candle to discover a change in color varying from blue-green to redolet, or khaki green in red-marron. 

For the undecided, the best option is still to opt for a jewel made from different varieties of garnet, such as this artisanal Mala composed of 108 garnet stones with multiple colors.

The list is long and there are still many, I invite you to complete your research by reading other articles or files on the subject.

So you can make your choice according to your preferences and discover Grenats of purple, brown, oranges, green, yellow colors ... 

Virtues and properties in lithotherapy

Garnet is considered to be A transformation stone Capable of surpassing difficulties, intensifying love passion and improving sexual appetite.

It represents La creativity, but also vitality necessary to carry out personal and professional projects by freeing you from packaging. 

It is a stone that adapts to calm and laid people, it is not recommended for jealous or angry people.

Mala Buddhist craft in garnet

 

Physical

• Regulates blood circulation;
• Take care of bleeding problems;
• Brings energy;
• Strengthens the heart;
• Fight against infections (garnet Andradite dismantoid)
• Revives sexual energy;
• Fight against insomnia and allergies (Hessonite garnet);
• Improves fertility (garnet spessartite);
• Relieves rheumatism and arthritis.

On the psychic and psychological level

• Purifies the chakras;
• Soothes frustrations;
• Eliminates stress (garnet tsavorite);
• Regenerates passion (garnet almandin);
• Helps take a step back;
• Develops perseverance;
• Messenges melancholy and depression (pyrope garnet) away;
• Brings joy and serenity;
• Improves creativity.

_______________

How to take care of my stone?

Maintain garnet 

Regardless of the variety of your stone, it must imperatively to be kept away from extreme temperatures. A thermal shock could cause irreversible damage.

To clean it, simply pass it under running water regularly (once a week) and to purify it, you can immerse it in salted distilled water.

Recharge the garnet 

You can do it in several ways:

• In full sun;
• With magnetic energy;
• In an amethyst geode;
• On a quartz heap. 

_______________

To go a little further ...

Astrological signs

Garnet is generally associated in January And therefore to the signs of Capricorn and Aquarius.

However, faced with the many varieties that exist, many other signs can be attached to stone depending on the variety chosen.

Which chakra is associated with garnet?

As for astrological signs, different chakras can be associated with Garnet.

In its most general form, the following chakras are attached to it:

• Racine chakra (1st chakra)
• Solar plexus chakra (3rd chakra)
• Heart chakra (4th chakra) 

Little practical advice:

When choosing your Garnet, know that the more transparent it, the higher its price.

_______________

I hope this article you have more, you can find all Our jewelry made with garnet stones by simply following this link: Garnet.

If you want to, do not hesitate to tell us in the comments the variety of garnet you prefer! And if you have a question about this particular stone, it is also with pleasure that you can ask us here.

We meet next week for a new article. In the meantime, don't forget to give yourself moments just for you!

See you next Tuesday!