The Variety and Color of Garnet Gemstones: 20+ Varieties and Their Meanings

An Overview

The January birthstone garnet has many GARNET varieties, colors and uses. Garnets can be found in every color of the rainbow and are made from a family of minerals. The wide variety of garnet means that there is plenty of versatility for designers to use them when making fashion jewellery and also high-end fine jewellery.

This article contains a complete listing of 20+ key varieties of garnets, their colour, and trade names as well as their numerological and metaphysical meanings. The purpose of this document is to provide you with the information you need to use garnets in your next DWS Jewellery design.

What exactly is garnet?

Garnets are a family of related silicate minerals that all share the same crystal structure but are each made with different chemical combinations. Most gem-quality garnet consists of six separate classifications or “species.” They include pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular, andradite, and uvarovite.

Because the six species of garnet will mix with each other to create many intermediate combinations, there are often said to be more than twenty distinct varieties of garnet gemstones. Garnets are commonly found in red, but they can also appear in shades of pink, purple, orange, yellow, green, brown, black, and even a color-changing variety, with the only naturally occurring color in the garnet family that is absent being a pure blue color.

Garnet species and main groups

The major types of garnet gemstones all fall into either the pyralspite group (pyrope, almandine, spessartine) or the ugrandite group (uvarovite, grossular, and andradite). While the colors of pyralspites include shades of red, pink, and orange; ugrandite garnets are usually found in shades of green, yellow, and clear.

As a prospective purchaser, you will see the six species, as well as the trade names that apply best to those species (rhodolite, tsavorite, hessonite, demantoid, etc.). This guide provides a useful, jewelry-oriented overview of the most common garnet varieties that your customers are likely to inquire about; use it for product descriptions, merchandising and educational material.

Dark red and romantic rosy pink garnets

These are the traditional garnet-red colored gemstones and the more romantic pinks and purples that are perfect for contemporary, masculine and bridal jewelry, all inspired by Victorian styles.

• Almandine: the most frequently seen dark garnet is commonly a purply dark red or orangey/brown/greyish coloured garnet that is traditionally made into "garnet" jewellery. The traditional crystal lore indicates that it is a grounding stone associated with stability and protective energies.
• Pyrope: the classic bright ruby-coloured garnet is a bright and vibrant "true" ruby red colour, which could also be described as bright orange-red to pink-red in colour. This stone is connected to passion, vitality, and courage; therefore, it is usually used in statement rings and cocktail jewellery.
• Rhodolite garnet (pyrope–almandine mix): rhodolite is made from a mixture of pyrope and almandine; its colours range from soft to deep pink-purples and are therefore considered much softer and feminine than darkly coloured garnets. Rhodolite is often associated with emotional healing and love of self, and therefore is most commonly used in romantic and bridal jewellery.
• Grape garnet: This beautiful purple garnet is one of the brighter coloured garnets and has a deep colour so it reminds you of the grape colour. It is known to help inspire and spark creativity, make room for emotional expression and provide clarity in thought, making grape garnet very popular for everyday wear.
• Malaya / Malaia garnet: A trade name for reddish-orange gems that are a mixture of pyrope, almandine, and spessartine. They were originally rejected by miners because they were not considered to be part of the family of garnets, now they are seen as a unique and modern gemstone and represent individuality and breaking old patterns.

Burnt orange and golden yellow colored garnets

Today garnets of orange and yellow are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary jewelry for their joyful vibe of a midday sunrise and fantastic sparkle.

• Spessartine garnet (spessartite; brighter colours orange, reddish brown and yellowish brown) can sometimes be referred to as a "mandarin" garnet because of its very bright orange colouration. It has been said to correspond with confidence, inspiration, and creativity; therefore, it is an ideal choice for bolder pieces of designer jewellery, along with talismanic pieces.
• Hessonite garnet (cinnamon stone) is a variety of grossular garnet and has been historically used in Indian and Vedic astrology. Its colours may range from reddish orange to orange yellow. Hessonite garnet is associated with clarity, success, and removing negative influences, and is used in Jyotish practice as a remedy for Rahu-related issues.
• Leuco garnet (aka colourless grossularite) is a rare, colourless member of the grossular variety and is among the primary sub-species of the grossular species of garnets. Leuco garnet can sometimes be used as a diamond alternative and it is associated with purity, clarity of thought, and new beginnings.
• Hydrogrossular garnet is a class of opaque and generally greenish grossular garnet, where some of the silica molecules have been partially replaced with hydroxide. This type of garnet is used for carving and beads and is thought to provide emotional balance and heart-centred healing.
• Mali (grandite) garnet is a relatively newly discovered garnet from Mali (first very recently recognised as a mix of grossular and andradite), and has bright yellow to yellow-green colours. This Garnet is very brilliant and can have the same type of sparkle as a fancy coloured diamond. The bright appearance of Mali garnets has been said to indicate growth and abundance, thus making them a perfect option for luxury, yet nontraditional, designs. Although the emerald is a very pale green stone, garnets are also bright green in color and shine just as brightly as the emerald stones.

Brighter Green Alternatives to Emeralds: Fresh Green Garnets

Emerald was once the only green gemstone that competitive buyers sought after, but green garnets continue to be amongst the most prized green gemstones providing emerald-like coloration, density, and brilliance.

Green garnets are best characterized by six specific varieties:

• Green grossular contains some of the widest color ranges of any garnet variety, ranging from colorless to yellowish to reddish-orange and vivid greens. In terms of the metaphysical properties ascribed to green grossular, they are often said to provide emotional support for individuals during times of renewal, financial growth or as a means to balance the heart chakra.
• The vivid green to emerald green variety of green grossular garnet, known as tsavorite, is found in East Africa and is one of the most expensive garnet varieties available. Tsavorite garnet is more difficult than emerald and symbolizes prosperity and renewal, making it a suitable choice for a center stone in fine engagement rings and luxury collections.
• Because of its intense fire and yellowish-green to green hues, demantoid garnet is the most prized variety of andradite garnet. Many pieces in the vintage Russian jewelry style feature demantoid garnets. This garnet is a symbol of success, social standing and intelligence.
• Yellow-green andradite garnets (topazolite) exhibit a distinctive yellowish-green hue and come from Germany, Italy, and Namibia; because they are valued for their diamond-like dispersion, they are often used in eye-catching statement pendants and in collectors’ rings to enhance clarity, self-confidence and mental concentration.
• Uvarovite is the bright green chrome-rich garnet variety that is most commonly found as small drusy crystals or in a larger matrix. Rarely are uvarovite garnets cut into faceted gemstones; therefore, they are frequently used in their natural cluster form in designer jewelry. Uvarovite garnets are associated with abundance, self-worth and opening up one’s heart.
• Merelani mint grossular garnet (or mint garnet) is a mint green grossular variety mined in the Merelani Mountains of Tanzania and is among the most stunningly beautiful gemstones available. Due to its eye-popping color and purity, merelani mint garnets can be found in many modern or minimalist styles of jewelry to symbolize fresh starts and new beginnings.

The Mysterious Images Of The Dark and Black Garnates

There Some Garnates (in deep dark ink colors) Include The Following:

• Andreite - There are five types of Andreite and the normal clear color of Andreite can be either yellowish-green, brown or black, with a high level of dispersion (the way the light is dispersed (reflected back out of the stone). Andreite is associated with courage, transformation and will allow one to face challenges and grow.
• Melanite - Melanite is a very brilliant (black in color) Andreite type of garnet and is typically used in modern monochromatic pieces of jewelry. In terms of crystal/divination symbolism, Melanite is associated with the following: protection, grounding and as a stone for absorbing negative energy. Melanite garnets would make great "everyday" jewelry pieces that are considered to be "powerful" as far as talismans.

Garnets with Color Shifts and Unique Effects

Some garnets exhibit a colour change depending on the type of light that is shining on them, making them an interesting addition to fine jewelry.

• Pyrope–Spessartine Colour Changing-Garnet – Most of the colour changing garnets are from the pyrope–spessartine solid solution series and change from greenish blue to magenta or reddish brown to red when viewed in different types of light (such as between daylight and incandescent lighting). This gemstone is steeped in traditional garnet meanings (friendship, loyalty and passion) as well as the metaphysical meanings associated with change and loyalty to oneself.
• Additional Colour Transforming Garnets – Many commercial dealers sell colour changing garnet from Kenya, Tanzania or Madagascar. Colour changes observed include blueish-green to purple-reddish or champagne to wine colour. In addition to their rarity and value as collector's items, many of these gemstones have been known throughout history to represent duality, balance or acceptance of constant change throughout life.

How Many Varieties Of Garnet Are There Really? 

Most gemological references generally agree that while there are only six main species of gem varieties in nature, many gem quality garnets exist by way of distinctive gem types and their trade names, mixed compositions (Mali and Malaya), localization (Merelani mint) and special effects (color change) combined together, creating the potential for over 20 different combinations. In other words, countless choices are available when buying a piece of jewellery with the single, well-known name of garnet.

At DWS Jewellery, we've organised our collections to offer:

• Classic primary colours - almandine, pyrope and rhodolite for your birthstone and bridal collection.
• Prime natural colours - tsavorite, demantoid, Merelani mint and green grossular for an exclusive nature-inspired collection.
• Trendy secondary colours (spessartine, hessonite and Mali) for the fashion and designer marketplace.
• Rare and limited-interest collector items (color change garnet, uvarovite druze and melanite) for the limited-edition collector or custom order.

Recommendations for purchasing and caring for garnet jewellery

With a hardness of 6.5 -7.5 on the Mohs scale, garnets are appropriate for all types of jewellery including rings, earrings and pendants, as long as proper precautions are observed. Ultrasonic cleaners will usually work on garnets, but it’s recommended that you do not use them on colour change or heavily included stones. The best way to clean your garnet is with warm soapy water and a soft brush.

Garnet is made up of multiple types/varieties and could be sourced from many different places so make sure you purchase from reputable dealers who can provide you with the proper information related to the type of garnet purchased, the treatment status (most garnets are untreated) and how the particular stone you purchased should be cared for. At DWS Jewelley, we have developed partnerships between members of our sourcing team and reputable miners and cutters to ensure that the garnets you receive are accurately graded and provide an optimal balance of appearance, durability, and value so that you can create every thing from wholesale collections to one of a kind high-end designs.