Garnet Meaning: Garnet Crystal Meaning

The Meaning Of Garnet Stone: Garnet Crystal Meaning, Healing Properties, And Facts

Garnet is one of the most beloved gemstones to have ever been discovered and used by man, and has been a part of myths, stories, and legends for millennia. 

Read on to discover more about what Garnet is, the properties of Garnet, the spiritual meaning of Garnet, what is garnet birthstone, the uses of Garnet, the benefits of Garnet, and more key information about Garnet stones. 

Pictured above: a Pyrope Garnet Sphere showing red-purple Garnet colours

What Is Garnet? 

Garnet is a mineral, crystal, gemstone, semi-precious stone, and January birthstone that is typically red in colour, and is sometimes confused with Ruby.

What Is A Garnet Stone? 

A Garnet Stone or Garnet Gemstone is a typically high-grade garnet mineral that has been mined from rough rock, and then cut and polished into various shapes for decorative or ornamental purposes.

High-grade Garnet gemstones are considered to be precious Garnets, and are often crafted into aesthetically pleasing faceted gemstones.

Other cut and polished Garnet stones are considered to be semiprecious stones.

Unpolished, natural Garnet crystals are also popular types of Garnet stones for sale; crystal healers particularly value raw garnet crystals for their purported potent crystal healing properties. 

Pictured above: a Natural Garnet Crystal, or Raw Garnet Crystal, of the Pyrope Garnet mineral species

Garnet Definition And Garnet Mineral Classification

The Garnet group of minerals is a group of related silicate mineral species, all of which are classed as nesosilicate minerals or nesosilicates, and have the same isometric crystal structure (or cubic crystal structure). 

There are six main Garnet mineral species, the most common of which is Almandine Garnet; followed by Pyrope Garnet; whilst the rarest Garnet mineral species is Uvarovite Garnet. 

Pictured above: an Almandine Garnet Freeform Shape crystal. Almandine Garnet is the most famous and common Garnet mineral species, and gem-quality Almandine Garnet is revered for being a deep red-coloured gemstone similar to Ruby

What Does Garnet Mean? 

According to the dictionary, what garnet means is a specific red gemstone and mineral named "garnet", but garnet crystal meaning and garnet gemstone meaning is much richer than just that. 

Garnet meaning operates on multiple levels, including; the meaning of the name and word Garnet, garnet stone meaning in mineralogy, the symbolism and spiritual meaning of Garnet, the meaning of Garnet Birthstone, and more. 

Garnet Name Meaning And Origin

The name Garnet was derived from the Latin word for seeds, and it is thought the Garnet stone was given this name owing to its deep red colour which is similar in shade to the red seeds of Pomegranates.

The garnet red colour is the most famous colour of Garnet gemstones, and this is why the Garnet name meaning refers to its signature red colour. 

Pictured above: a Raw Pyrope Garnet Crystal or Natural Pyrope Garnet Crystal showing red Garnet colours

Garnet Birthstone Meaning

A Garnet Birthstone is the January Birthstone.

The garnet January birthstone meaning is of passion, love, commitment, loyalty, faith, trust, friendship, and protection, amongst other meanings. 

What Does Garnet Mean Spiritually? Garnet Spiritual Meaning

The spiritual meaning of garnet stone is vast and varied, but includes love, strength, energy, courage, power, and passion. 

A garnet stone spiritually means great power, strength, and vitality.

Garnet crystals radiate strong fire element energy spiritually, making them great crystals to use in Feng Shui for the fire element, particularly when placed in the Fame and Reputation area of your home (the South Corner of your house). 

In Feng Shui, the spiritual meaning of fire element crystals such as Garnet is that of passion, creativity, and transformation. 

Garnet crystal meanings are used by crystal healers to choose Garnets as powerful crystal healing stones when appropriate, for example to help fire up people with low motivation, or those who are lacking a sense of passion, imagination, and creativity. 

What Does Garnet Symbolize?

Garnet symbolizes fire, the heart, and blood. 

What Does Garnet Represent? 

What garnet represents is life and vitality like the blood that runs through our veins, passion and energy as powerful as a roaring flame, and perhaps most significantly, love and romance, especially passionate love and romance. 

Pictured above: a Pyrope Garnet Crystal Heart. Garnet crystals represent and symbolize love, passion, and the heart, and therefore Garnet stones crafted into heart-shaped Garnet crystals make great gifts for loved ones to show your love and appreciation for them: a Garnet Heart crystal is a perfect Valentine's Day gift for this reason

Garnet Types: The Six Types Of Garnet Minerals

The six main species of garnet minerals within the Garnet Group are as follows: 

• Almandine Garnet
• Pyrope Garnet
• Spessartine Garnet
• Andratite Garnet
• Grossular Garnet
• Uvarovite Garnet

What Does Garnet Look Like? 

There is no one way that Garnet looks like: the Garnet group of minerals is incredibly diverse, and each Garnet variety can vary significantly in colour, shape, and general appearance. 

However, the most common Garnets, such as Almandine garnets, tend to be red in colour and can look like rubies, for which they are sometimes mistaken for. 

Pictured above: a Natural Ruby Record Keeper Crystal. Ruby crystals and gemstones are often mistaken for Garnet crystals and gemstones because Garnet and Ruby share similar deep red colours

Natural Garnet Crystal Shapes: Garnet Crystal Habit

The crystal habit of Garnet, meaning the outward appearance of the natural garnet crystal shape, can vary; however, the most common Garnet crystal habit is that of rhombic dodecahedra crystals, meaning that visible natural Garnet crystals often form as crystals with twelve diamond-shaped faces. 

Polished Garnet Crystal Shapes

Cut and polished Garnet stones can be crafted into a variety of different crystal shapes to make Garnet ornaments.

Some of the most popular polished Garnet shapes include:

• Garnet Hearts
• Garnet Palm Stones and Garnet Pebbles
• Garnet Spheres
• Garnet Towers and Garnet Obelisks
• Garnet Eggs
• Garnet Pyramids
• Loose Garnet, Tumbled Garnet, or Garnet Tumble Stones

Pictured above: a Pyrope Garnet Tower or Pyrope Garnet Obelisk. Garnet towers and obelisks are popular shapes to craft polished garnet stones and crystals into for ornamental purposes

What Colour Is Garnet Stone? 

Garnet colour varies considerably between different garnet mineral varieties, although the most popular garnet colour is red. 

Garnet gemstones can be red, purple, pink, green, orange, yellow, and black, amongst other colours and hues. 

Pictured above: a Natural Pyrope Garnet Crystal showing red-purple Garnet colours; Garnet crystals are most commonly red in colour, and a Garnet stone can range in red hue from pink-red to deep red and red-purple

Which Garnet Is Red? 

Many Garnet stones are red, and each red Garnet gemstone can display a range of red hues, ranging from rose pink-reds to bright ruby-reds, warm orange-reds, and deep, dark red-browns, red-purples, and red-blacks. 

Almandine Garnet is the most common type of red Garnet gemstone, and the most valuable Almandine Garnet gemstones are transparent and coloured a jewel-like blood-red or ruby-red hue. 

The colour of Almandine Garnet is often compared to the colour of Ruby, and for this reason, Almandine Garnet is sometimes referred to as Almandine Ruby.

Pyrope Garnet is another popular red Garnet gemstone variety; in fact, Pyrope Garnet's name is derived from the Greek word 'puropus', which means 'fire-eyed', in referenced to the shimmering, fiery red colours of Pyrope Garnet. 

Almandine-Pyrope Garnet mixes are also commonly red in colour; Rhodolite is one such mix of predominantly Pyrope Garnet with some Almandine Garnet; a Rhodolite gemstone is prized for its rose pink-red hues.  

Spessartine Garnet often displays warm orange-red hues: within Spessartine-Almandine Garnet gemstones, the higher the Almandine Garnet content, the redder the hue of the gem tends to be. 

Can Garnet Be Green?

Yes, some Garnet stones are green in colour, although it is much more common for a Garnet stone to be red.

Green garnets can range in hue from pale greens to bright emerald greens; sometimes, yellow tints to the green hue are present in green garnet gemstones, for example, in Mali Garnet and the incredibly rare yellow-green Topazolite gemstone. 

Green garnet colours are thought to be caused by inclusions of trace elements, particularly chromium and/ or vanadium, within the Garnet mineral matrix. 

Uvarovite Garnet tends to be a bright emerald green colour, a hue thought to be caused by chromium inclusions within the garnet stone.

Andratite Garnet is the main garnet mineral species to show green colours: the most famous Green Andratite Garnet gemstones are Demantoid, Topazolite, and Mali Garnet (which is a mix of Andratite Garnet and Grossular Garnet). 

Grossular Garnet is another garnet mineral species that can form rare green garnet gemstones; most notably, Tsavorite is a form of green Grossular Garnet. 

The most rare and valuable green Garnet gems include Tsavorite garnets (or Tsavolite garnets) and Demantoid garnets, although all green Garnet stones are highly sought after; for example, Uvarovite is a rare green garnet mineral, and green Mali Garnet is only found in one area of the world. 

Can Garnet Be Purple? 

Yes, some Garnet stones are purple; for example Pyrope Garnet often displays red-purple hues.

Rhodolite, a mix of Pyrope Garnet and Almandine Garnet, can show violet-red colours. 

Can Garnet Be Pink?

Yes, some Garnet gemstones are pink: most famously, Rhodolite Garnet gemstones are rose-pink in colour. 

Rhodolite was named using the Ancient Greek word "rhodon", which means "rose", in reference to the rose-pink colour of the gem; this is the same origin for the names of other pink gemstones and crystals such as Rhodonite and Rhodochrosite. 

Pictured above: a Rhodonite Crystal Sphere. Many types of pink crystals and gemstones, including Rhodonite, Rhodochrosite, and the pink gemstone variety of Garnet, Rhodolite, share part of their names with each other, for all are rose-pink in colour, and therefore all are named using the word "Rhodon", which means rose in Greek. 

Rhodolite is composed from a mix of Pyrope Garnet and Almandine Garnet, with Pyrope being the main Garnet mineral species within the mix. 

The Pyrope Garnet in the Rhodolite can add purple hues to the pink-reds of the gem, meaning some Rhodolite gemstones display purple-red and violet-red hues, amongst raspberry-reds and rose-pinks. 

Can Garnet Be Yellow?  

Yes, some Garnet gemstones are yellow, yellow-brown, orange-yellow, or golden in hue. 

The most famous yellow garnet gemstone is Hessonite, which is a variety of the Grossular Garnet mineral species that displays a range of yellow, gold, golden-brown, orange, and red hues. 

Hessonite is also called "Cinnamon Stone" in reference to its cinnamon-brown hue, and this yellow Garnet gem is famous for being similar in colour to Zircon.

Spessartine garnets, which range in colour from yellow to orange and red.

Finally, rare Mali Garnet gemstones are famously green in colour, but often are yellow-green in hue or simply yellow. 

Can Garnet Be Orange? 

Yes, some Garnet gemstones are orange, orange-yellow, orange-red, or orange-brown.

Spessartine Garnet often displays rich yellow-orange, pure orange, or orange-red colours and hues. 

Pure Spessartine Garnet gemstones tends to show the purest, most vivid orange hues: one such orange Spessartine gemstone is the rare Mandarin Garnet gemstone variety, originally found in Namibia, which is renowned for its vivid, vibrant orange hue, a hue thought to be caused by high levels of manganese inclusions within the mineral mix. 

Mandarin Garnet is known by many different trade names, including Tangerine Garnet and Fanta Garnet, all of which reference the juicy orange hue of the gemstone. 

Many types of Spessartine-Almandine Garnet mixtures, as well as Pyrope-Spessartine Garnet mixtures, can form stunning orange Garnet stones: the higher the Almandine or Pyrope content, the redder the gemstone tends to be, creating fiery red-orange Garnet gemstones. 

Grossular Garnet gemstones can also be orange, particularly orange Hessonite gemstones. 

Can Garnet Be Black?

Yes, some Garnet gemstones are black; these black Garnet gemstones range in hue from dark red-blacks, as can be found in Garnet mineral species like Pyrope Garnet, to charcoal blacks. 

Melanite Garnet is a dark, black Andratite Garnet gemstone variety. 

Can Garnet Be Blue? 

It is very rare for Garnet stones to be blue: before a discovery of blue Garnet stones in Madagascar in 1998, it was believed that Garnet stones could not be blue, and in fact it was thought that Garnet stones could be found in every colour but blue. 

Blue colour-change Garnet gemstones are extremely rare and valuable, and tend to be only found in Madagascar, although some blue garnets have been found in Tanzania as well. 

Blue garnet stones are formed from a unique mixture of Pyrope Garnet and Spessartine Garnet, with vanadium inclusions causing the blue colour of the garnet.

Where Is Garnet Found? 

Garnet is found in many countries worldwide, including Madagascar, India, Tanzania, Kenya, Brazil, Sri Lanka, and the USA.

Where Garnet Comes From In Africa

Some of the rarest and most valuable Garnet gemstones come from Africa. 

For example, rare Tsavorite comes from Tanzania, Kenya, and Madagascar, whilst unique Mali Garnet is only found in Mali, Mandarin Garnet was discovered in Namibia, and blue colour-change garnets come from Madagascar. 

At Madagascan Direct, our Almandine Garnet crystals come from Madagascar. 

Where Demantoid Garnet Comes From

Green gemstone-quality garnets of the Andratite Garnet mineral species are known as Demantoid gemstones, which come from Russia.

Whilst these valuable, rare garnet gemstones were initially discovered in the Russian Ural Mountains, and are still usually found in Russia, Demantoid Garnets can also be found in Namibia and certain other locations worldwide. 

Uvarovite Garnet is also found primarily in Russia. 

Where To Find Garnet In India And Sri Lanka

Stunning Garnet gemstones can be found in India and Sri Lanka, including Hessonite and Pyrope Garnet. 

At Madagascan Direct, our Pyrope Garnet crystals come from India, a country renowned for its high-quality crystals. 

More specifically, our Pyrope Garnet crystals were found in Orissa/ Odisha in the Bay of Bengal, India.

How Is Garnet Formed? 

Garnet minerals and crystals form at high temperatures and under high pressure, as a result of the metamorphism of sedimentary rock such as shale deep inside the Earth's crust and mantle. 

Garnet can form at temperatures as high as 800 degrees celsius. 

Pictured above: a Pyrope Garnet Crystal Egg

What Type Of Rock Is Garnet Found In? 

Garnet minerals and crystals are typically found in metamorphic rock, as metamorphic rocks form under the same geological conditions of high-temperature and high-pressure that garnet needs to form. 

Some Garnet minerals form in igneous rocks, usually granite rocks, and sometimes in pegmatites. 

What Layer Of The Earth Is Garnet Found In? 

Garnet is made in the Earth's crust and upper mantle, typically, and these are the layers of the Earth where garnet is found.

How Hard Is Garnet? Garnet Hardness On Mohs Scale

Garnet on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness measures between 6.5 and 7.5.

As the Garnet group of minerals contains a variety of different garnet mineral species, the hardness of Garnet minerals can vary depending on the garnet mineral species.

Garnet mineral hardness can range from a similar hardness to feldspar or Quartz on the softer end of the garnet Mohs scale, to a hardness similar to Tourmaline on the harder end of the garnet Mohs scale. 

Pictured above: a Garnet in Black Tourmaline Sphere. Many Garnet minerals are of a similar hardness to Tourmaline on the Mohs scale (for example, Pyrope Garnet measures 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale). When Garnet and Black Tourmaline grow together, they form a rock known as Garnet in Black Tourmaline. 

In general, Garnet is a harder mineral than Quartz, but Garnet is still softer than the hardest minerals such as Ruby. 

Hardest Garnet Minerals vs Softest Garnet Minerals

The hardest Garnet minerals tend to be aluminium garnets, whilst the softest Garnet minerals tend to the calcium garnets as calcium inclusions in the garnet make the stone softer overall, much like how Calcite minerals are very soft. 

The harder Garnets are primarily composed of Almandine Garnet and/or the ever so slightly softer Pyrope Garnet, although Spessartine Garnet is another aluminium-rich garnet mineral species that tends to be harder on the Mohs scale than the calcium garnets. 

Pyrope Garnet measures 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, which means that it is a very durable mineral resistant to scratching, but care should still be taken not to damage the crystal surface, especially if rough druzy crystals are exposed. 

Most notably, softer Garnet minerals include calcium-iron garnets/Andratite Garnets (which encompasses Demantoid Garnets, Topazolite Garnets, and Mali Garnets), as well as calcium-aluminium garnets/Grossular Garnets (which includes Tsavorite and Mali Garnet), and the calcium-chromium garnet Uvarovite. 

Can Garnet Go In Water?

Yes, technically Garnet crystals can go in water for short periods of time, but it is not recommended to soak Garnet crystals or gemstones in water at all if you wish to avoid diminishing the lustre of your Garnet gemstone, or damaging the stone entirely. 

Although Garnet is a hard mineral on the Mohs Scale, and harder minerals generally are water-safe crystals, natural Garnet crystals often display many natural crystal cavities and fissures which make the stone vulnerable to damage and breakage if the cavities absorb water during submersion. 

If you do wish to put your Garnet stone in water, it is advised to try to minimise the risk of water damage to the stone by:

• Only putting your Garnet crystal in spring water, freshwater, or pure distilled water
• Avoiding putting your Garnet crystal in salt water
• Using lukewarm or warm water rather than very cold or very hot water
• Not fully submerging your Garnet crystal in water: instead just try dipping it in
• Soaking your Garnet crystal in water for short periods of time, rather than prolonged submersion

Garnet Water Safety: Is It Safe To Drink Garnet Gem Elixirs Or Garnet Crystal Water? 

It is not recommended to ingest Garnet gem elixirs or Garnet crystal elixir water, due to the risk of the Garnet crystal dissolving and releasing potentially harmful elements into the water which could cause harm upon ingestion.

For example, Almandine Garnet, Pyrope Garnet, and Spessartine Garnet are all aluminium garnets, and therefore there is a risk that the crystal could break down and release aluminium into the water of a Garnet gem elixir, making it unsafe to drink. 

How To Clean A Garnet Crystal

If you wish to clean your Garnet crystal, the safest way to do so is to slightly dampen a soft cloth with a little bit of lukewarm water, and then gently wipe your Garnet crystal clean, before finally drying the stone with a soft dry cloth. 

Can Garnet Get Wet? Can I Use Water To Clean Garnet? 

Yes, Garnet can get wet safely to an extent, but it is best to use water sparingly when cleaning your Garnet crystal to avoid any potential water damage to the stone. 

It is safest to use plain water without any mineral additives or cleaning additives to clean your Garnet crystal, and to use water at room temperature or slightly warmer. 

What Is Garnet Used For? 

Garnet uses and benefits are wide and varied.

What garnet is used for includes ornamental, aesthetic, and decorative uses; spiritual, metaphysical, and healing uses; geological and scientific uses; and industrial uses. 

Some of the uses of Garnet are as follows: 

• Garnet is used as a gemstone and semi-precious stone
• Garnet is used for jewellery-making to create Garnet jewellery such as Garnet necklaces and Garnet pendants
• Garnet is used as a birthstone for January
• Garnet is used as a Zodiac Stone for Aquarius and Capricorn
• Garnet is used by geologists to identify a metamorphic rock's metamorphic grade, and to help identify and date rocks in which garnet is found
• Garnet sand is used as an abrasive in industry for abrasive blasting and glass polishing

Garnet Gemstone Meaning And Uses

Garnet gemstones are world-renowned. 

Is Garnet A Precious Stone? 

No, Garnet is not a precious stone; instead, Garnet is a semi-precious stone.

However, some rare and valuable garnet gems are known as precious garnets; whilst these precious garnet gemstones are not officially considered to be precious stones in the gemological world, they are still worth a lot of money and are highly sought-after. 

Is Garnet A Birthstone? 

Yes, Garnet is a birthstone for January. 

What Birthstone Is Garnet? 

A red Garnet birthstone is considered to be the January Birthstone. 

What Is Garnet's Zodiac Sign? 

Garnet is the Zodiac Stone for Aquarius, and Garnet can also be used as a Zodiac Stone for Scorpio and Capricorn.

Garnet For Aquarius

Garnet is the January Birthstone; as the Aquarius sign covers much of January, a Garnet stone is the perfect Zodiac Stone for Aquarius. 

Garnet For Scorpio

The Zodiac Sign Scorpio is associated with the colours of deep red, brown, and black, which are the most common colours of Garnet: therefore, a red Garnet stone aligns with the colours of Scorpio.

Garnet For Capricorn

The Capricorn Zodiac sign covers the end of December and beginning to middle of January: as Garnet is the January Birthstone, a Garnet stone makes a great Capricorn Birthstone.

Garnet History

Red Garnet is one of the oldest gemstones known to have been cut by man, and it was very popular with Roman jewellery makers. 

Many red gemstones, including Red Garnets, were historically called carbuncles, and "carbuncle" now commonly refers to a deep red Almandine Garnet gemstone.

Garnet gemstones also play a part in the history, myths, and legends of India.

Hessonite gemstones were referred to as Gomed Stones in ancient Indian texts; in Vedic Astrology, a Gomed stone is one of the nine gems of the Navaratna.

A Hessonite Garnet gemstone, or Gomed Stone, is the Navaratna gem for Rahu, the Ascending Lunar Node/ North Lunar Node. 

Garnet Healing Properties & Garnet Metaphysical Properties

Garnet is revered by crystal healers for its warm, fiery energy that matches its fiery red colour.

Garnet crystal healing properties include rejuvenation, revitalization, and mood-lifting properties. 

If you are lacking in motivation and energy, Garnet can be used as a crystal healing stone for low energy and low mood. 

A Garnet crystal healing stone exudes a feeling of warmth and protection that makes it perfect to use as a protection stone if you are in need of a sense of security, stability, and safety, particularly whilst travelling. 

Garnet Chakras: Garnet Chakra Healing Stone

Garnet, like Ruby, resonates powerfully with both the Heart Chakra and Root Chakra (Base Chakra). 

Garnet Heart Chakra Stone

Garnet is deeply associated with the Heart Chakra, and is said to enhance passion and love in one's relationships when used as a Heart Chakra Crystal.

Garnet Root Chakra Stone

Garnet is also a very grounding stone, and therefore can be used as a Root Chakra Crystal to enhance one's connection to the Earth.