Garnet Family of Gems Includes Rainbow of Varieties

What is a garnet? If red and January birthstone are the only words that come to mind, you're missing out on a virtual rainbow of dazzling gemstones.

Color: The versatile garnet comes in a virtual rainbow of colors, including pink, red, purple, orange, yellow, violet, green, colorless, occasionally black, brown and many shades of red and green. The most common color of garnets is reddish brown. Bohemian Garnet is deep red gemstone, Russian Demantoid and African Tsavorite are vibrant green.

Description: Pyrope: Mg₃Al₂[SiO₄]₃. Garnets are a group of common silicate minerals that have similar crystal structures and chemical compositions.

It can be translucent to transparent, sometimes opaque with a vitreous or resinous lustre. The best known type of garnet is red semi-precious stone pyrope, one of several red gems, which the ancients used to call Carbuncles.

Garnets are actually one of the largest families of gemstones. Most natural garnets are mixtures of two or more of the following pure species: pyrope, almandine, spessartine, uvarovite, grossular, andradite. Garnets occur in a very wide variety of formations, colors, and clarities.

The name's origin: Garnets were so called by the ancient Greeks since color reminded them of the pomegranate seed or granatum.

Birthstone: The garnet is considered to be the birthstone for Capricornus (Goat): Dec. 22 - Jan. 19.

Varieties: There are following major types of garnets:



Almandine,




Spessartine,



Pyrope (also called Bohemian garnet, or Cape ruby)





Grossular (also called grossularite, or Gooseberry garnet),





Rhodolite,



Hessonite (also called Hessonite, or Cinnamon stone),

Uvarovite



Color Change





Andradite





Malaia

 

Proteus




Tsavorite















Care and treatment: Clean garnet with a dry soft cloth. As with all gemstones, care should be taken to protect it from scratches, sharp blows, harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures.

From the stone history: One of the world's most ancient gems, garnet has been treasured for thousands of years. Use of garnets as gems is traced to the Nile Delta in 3100 B.C. Egytian artisans created beautifull garnet beads, bracelets and other jewelry. Garnets since ancient times used widely as an abrasive. Garnets are said to have been used by Asiatic tribes in place of bullets. During the latter part of the 19th century, garnet bracelets and brooches were particularly popular. Most familiar during the peak of popularity were varieties of pyrope.  The hardness of garnets and their sharp fracture make them suitable as abrasives for wood, leather, glass, metals, and plastics.  Garnet varieties have become known by misleading names, frequently consisting of a locality with the name of another mineral variety, such as Uralian emerald or Cape ruby.

Shopping guide: Garnet is a reasonably priced stone. It is beautiful in rings, pendants, necklaces and bracelets. There are some beautiful orange garnets. A green tsavorite garnet is a very rare and high-priced stone.  The dazzling beauty of garnets is responsible for their widespread use as gemstones.

Healing ability: Garnet is an excellent assistance for blood deficiency diseases. It stimulates bloodstream and pituitary gland, relieves rheumatism and arthritis pain.  Garnet combats depression and lethargy. Garnet also stimulates the spleen properly. Garnet protects against depression and impure thoughts. Cures fever and promotes good health.

Mystical power: Garnet should be carried close to the body. Its energy is balancing and peaceful. This stone of passion stimulates the sexual drive. Garnet gives energy and courage. It is said to encourage robust good health and sexual desire, enhance the wearer's imagination. Garnet symbolizes fire, faith, courage, truth, grace, compassion, constancy and fidelity. It also offers protection to the traveler.

Deposits: Garnets are found in a wide variety of locations including Kenya, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Canada and USA. In USA garnet has been obtained in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Florida, California and Virginia. The majority of today's Garnet supplies come from Africa. Notable quantities of garnets have been also found in Czech Republic and Spain.   The oranges and browns of Spessartite and Hessonite hail from Namibia and Sri Lanka.

It's Been a GREAT 2010! Here's to 2011...

As I sit here reflecting on 2010 and all the things that have happened with 'tiques n t'ings, I can honestly say, "it's been a great year!"

Going from a "by appointment" Jeweler to an honest go goodness Jewelery Store Owner, my business has grown by leaps and bounds.

There are so many people to thank for their help and encouragement, it's hard to name them all but I'll try later in this Blog.  First and foremost, Shirley Diaz of Diaz DeZines.  She's the one that told me about Networking and invited me to my first network get together.  She is a fabulous artist and a true friend.  Kris Simmons supported me, helped me when in need (helping at the Tacoma Bridal Expo) and loves my jewelry.  She is an inspiration.  But the two people who have affected my life and business the most in 2010 are two very beautiful Women, not only on the outer skin but in their soul, Sue Wyder and Robyn Liss.  Without them I would not have a Jewelry Store.  Sue tried for two months to get me into Ubiquitous Journey to meet Robyn (who was looking for a "silver worker").  I finally broke down and stopped in.  That day changed everything.  I started displaying my jewelry creations and within two months Robyn told me, yes told me, that I was opening up a Jewelry Store inside Ubiquitous Journey. Wow!  What a shock and honor that she bestowed upon me.  Thank you to all four of you for your love, friendship, and constant encouragement.  There is no way for me to repay you except to excel.

 

Cindy Sims, Anita Nowocin, Cindy Sexton, Debbie Hurter, Mindi Zehnder, Aide Gutierrez, Monte Ballard, Beth Jorgensen, Nathaniel Oxford, Bill and Michele Suepke, Panda Bennet, Brad Buckles, Pat Dickerson, Brian and Amber Thiel, Pat Loveless Brooks, Diana Ehli, Robert Sorell, Connie Lindberg, Chris Shockly, Rochelle Plaster, Janice Brady, Roy Lee Mathews, Janis Flagg, Jessica Uran Wickre, Janet Stewart, Jennifer Coleman, Heidi Erickson, Jeffrey Gordon Parker, Joyce Joneschiet, Lorna Faye Gifford, Fiffany Anderson, Kim Stewart, Teri Blubaugh, Trish Cole, Wes Wood, Viki Morrison, Willow Flint, Shain and Shelly Bloom, Tracy Ann Fetters-Knutson and, of course, Kieran and Sherry Murry are a few people that have inspired me, helped me, encouraged me, and pushed me to be where I am now.  There are quite a few people not mentioned and I apologize (like friends and family, and others) if I did.

By attending the "Kierenslist Coffee Club", I was privileged to meet so many people in so many different business arenas.  It is an honor to help them bring their jewelry back to the way it was suppose to be, to be able to resize wedding rings so they can be worn and loved again, and to design jewelry that is desired.

2011 will bring great many changes to 'tiques n t'ings too.  I have a monthly Jewelry Giveaway and this Blog that I'll be doing.  'tiques n t'ings and Ubiquitous Journey is looking for bigger space to move in to so we can expand.  I can bring my bench to work and complete repairs, etc. at the store.  The website, www.tntings.com, is expanding with new products, and I look forward to bringing new "FELLOW CREATORS" to the site too.

So watch out 2011, 'tiques n t'ings is shooting for the stars and I look forward to sharing it with everyone!