Garnet: History, Meanings, Symbolism, Healing Properties and Benefits & More

Introduction

Did you know that garnet is not a single gemstone but a gemstone family, and garnet stones come in a wide spectrum of beautiful and vivid colors? You can find garnets in many different colors, such as red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, green, brown, black, and gray, and the most famous garnet variety is the one with a rich crimson color having a dark purple tinge. Garnets show different colors because they vary chemically in their composition, and the presence of trace elements and minerals (like iron and almandine) vary from one variety to the next, thus affecting the color of the garnet. All garnets are said to have an isometric crystal system, and on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, garnets range between 6.5 and 7.5.

Although it has been found that the garnet family comprises 15 different minerals, only six are of gem quality, which are used to create all kinds of garnet jewelry. It’s interesting to note that garnet is also the January birthstone, so if you are January born and you are planning to buy birthstone jewelry for yourself, you can purchase a garnet ring, earring, pendant, or bracelet. Also, garnet serves as the 2^nd wedding anniversary stone, so on your 2^nd anniversary, you can gift your spouse a beautiful garnet pendant or garnet bracelet.

Garnet History: The Stone Popular Since the Bronze Age

The recorded use of garnets and garnet jewelry can be traced back to the Bronze Age, specifically between 3300 BC and 1200 BC. At this time, this January birthstone was used in different abrasives and burials, and you can even find historical records stating different kings, queens, and royalty wearing garnet jewelry. Also, nobles of those times wore garnets as talismans and amulets in order to protect themselves while traveling – they believed that any garnet jewelry, be it a pendant or bracelet, would bring illumination and protection from divine forces.

It has also been found in various papyrus records of Egypt that pharaohs of those times wore red garnet pendants and necklaces, and they wanted it to be buried with them because it symbolized the afterlife in the heavens. Similarly, in Ancient Rome, people of the senate, as well as various government officials, stamped documents with carved garnet signet rings. Last but not least, the Roman population wore garnet jewelry while traveling and going to battle because this stone was believed to be a protective stone that could help them avoid all kinds of illnesses, including the deadly plague.

Garnet Meaning and The Word’s Latin Origins

Did you know the real origin of the word “garnet”? This word is derived from the medieval Latin word “granatus,” which can be translated as “pomegranate.” The reason why this name was chosen for garnet is clear and simple – small red garnet crystals resemble a lot to pomegranate seeds. It’s interesting to note that even the ancient Greeks linked this stone to the reddish-purple color of pomegranate seeds, and they felt that this stone symbolizes undying will, everlasting passion, and unconditional love.

Even today, crystal healers suggest that the garnet crystal has a special spiritual meaning. They believe that not only does this stone keep the wearer safe, but it grounds them as well, thus balancing their energies. Other than the powerful grounding properties of garnet, this stone invites love, loyalty, health, and luck into the user’s life.

Garnet Symbolism: The Best Stone for Root Chakra & Solar Plexus Chakra

The garnet gemstone symbolizes fertility, strength, feminine energies, and safety offered by the divine. Also, this stone is closely associated with the lower chakras, especially the root chakra and the solar plexus chakra. As garnet heals your root chakra, you are able to mend your relationships and solve trust issues, and as it heals your solar plexus chakra, your overall confidence and self-worth improve.

The best way to benefit from the energies of this stone is by wearing garnet jewelry (like garnet earrings) on a regular basis, by meditating on this stone’s energies as you keep it on the altar, or by creating a crystal grid of garnet and amethyst. To make the energies of this stone even more powerful, you can set intentions for your garnet piece - this intention will direct all the currents of energy this stone has toward you.

Garnet Facts: Things that are Unheard about Garnets

Below are some of the interesting facts that you might have never heard of about the garnet gemstone:

1. The rarest variety of garnets is the one discovered in Madagascar, which has a bluish-violet color. This garnet variety can cost up to one million dollars per carat.

2. Garnets are discovered all over the world, with some of the places being East Africa, Brazil, the Indian subcontinent, and the United States.

3. Garnet was declared the official state gemstone of New York in 1969.

4. The largest garnet discovered in New York weighed about 4.4kg. This garnet was unearthed in Manhattan in 1885, and it was nicknamed “subway garnet.”

5. The world’s largest polished garnet weighs about 5,696 carats. This garnet, discovered in Orissa, India, was carved by master lapidarist Manfred Wild into a Faberge-esque egg in 2014.

Garnet Healing Properties & Benefits to Expect as You Wear Garnet Jewelry

Garnets have numerous healing properties, and the biggest benefit any garnet jewelry offers is that it removes negative energy and boosts self-confidence. Let us go over some of the garnet’s healing properties one by one.

1. Energy: Garnet is believed to maintain synergy between the left hemisphere and right hemisphere of the brain, thus enabling you to feel energetic and allowing you to think with clarity. Also, wearing garnet jewelry can provide you with positivity and dispel various energy-draining emotions like grief, anxiety, or fear.

2. Kindness: Garnet makes you kinder, and it allows you to fulfill all your noble ambitions and practice generosity as you live your life. Also, it allows you to practice gratitude, thus making you feel content, and it makes you prioritize the right things in life, enriching your life with the satisfaction that comes with doing what’s right.

3. Self-Confidence: As you wear garnet jewelry on a regular basis, you will feel more confident because it makes you have faith in your abilities and focus on your strengths. Also, this stone improves the self-esteem levels of an individual by encouraging him to love himself and let go of all kinds of judgments.

4. Bravery: Garnet jewelry makes you braver – not only does it offer you comfort and protection, but it allows you to face your fears with all the might you possess.

Conclusion

We have covered a lot of things about garnets – from the history, meaning, and symbolism to the various healing properties and benefits of garnets, we have covered it all in this blog. So, did you enjoy reading this blog? Are you searching for beautiful garnet jewelry, such as rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets?

If that’s the case, then you can purchase all kinds of garnet jewelry from Sagacia Jewelry – be it rings, earrings, bracelets, or pendants, we sell it all at our website. Other than garnet, we deal in a wide variety of natural and ethically sourced gemstones, such as amethyst, citrine, blue topaz, green amethyst, and many more. The best part of our faceted jewelry range, which includes various dainty pendants and dainty earrings, is that it’s made in pure 925 sterling silver. Explore Sagacia’s website and order the gemstone jewelry as well as the 925 sterling silver jewelry that you like the most.