How to distinguish natural garnet stone from artificial?
Over its lush history, the stone has received a huge number of interesting names, including Yakhont and Lal.
What does a garnet stone look like: varieties and colors
- Scarlet or red-violet mineral is called almandine. These stones are especially attractive because their color is very similar to drops of blood. Therefore, the rulers of various Turkish powers loved them very much and often decorated their hats with them in order to intimidate their subordinates with their unlimited power.
- The dark red handsome gem received the name pyrope. The richest deposits of this type of garnet are located in the Czech Republic, Russia (Yakutia), Tanzania, USA, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and Norway. And in China it is believed that these stones are similar to the color of dragon blood and they can bring good luck.
- Orange-colored garnets, from light orange to brown-red, are called spessartine. This beautiful gem is somewhat reminiscent of an orange slice. The stone looks great in a yellow gold setting. The largest deposit is in Namibia, where this gem is nicknamed “mandarin,” which means tangerine in French.
- Mineral uvarovite has a rich green tint, like emerald. Uvarovite is mined in the USA, Finland and the Himalayas. The Indians believed that such gems could cure almost any disease.
- Shades of garnet from light green to brown are called grossulars. A distinctive feature of this gem is its soft, desaturated, very delicate shade of color. High-grade stones look great in white or yellow gold settings. Sources are Karelia, Brazil, USA and Russia.
- Also very popular are dark brown and black garnets called andradites. The main production sites are Azerbaijan and the Primorsky Krai of Russia. Typically, this type of garnet has no practical use, but some experts order products made from this mineral as collector’s items.
PLATINA Jewelry 02-4773-00-204-1111-75
PLATINA Jewelry 02-4701-00-204-1111-75
In this list we have mentioned only some of the varieties of pomegranate that are the most popular. However, there are still many types of gems.
Practical application
Beautifully colored representatives of garnet without clouding and with minimal external defects are widely used in the jewelry industry. Especially rare varieties of gems, for example, andradite, are usually kept by collectors.
Almandine or, as it is also called, pyrope, often used for the manufacture of abrasive tools (emery cloths, powders for various uses, grinding wheels, etc.). A huge share of industrially mined garnets is used to make special garnet paper and fabric, which are used in the woodworking industry, for polishing glass and leather, processing rubber, celluloid and other materials.
Often certain varieties of pomegranate added to cement mixtures to impart hardness and strength to building materials. Garnet is also used in instrument making, as well as in electronics for the implementation of laser technologies.
The magical properties of garnet stone
Astrologers say that the mineral is protected by Mars, so garnet will have a beneficial effect on purposeful, active, courageous people.
Abilities red garnet almandines have been known to mankind for a long time. It is believed that the scarlet gem is a symbol of love, prosperity in marriage, passion, and violent emotions. It brings its owner attention from the opposite sex, helps to find true love and start a serious relationship that will end in marriage.
green pomegranate – patron of business people. His magical abilities will help in the development of his own business, improve the positive character traits of his owner, help him become more persistent, purposeful, hardworking, and focused on the goal.
In China, Japan and the countries of the East, the scarlet garnet symbolizes prosperity, harmony, education, and development, so those who strive for great achievements try to wear this stone.
Magic black stone very strong. Usually such a talisman is worn by people who have great power, and they try by all means to retain it. Previously, black garnets were used to decorate the clothes of men in power, people in high military positions, and the cassocks of representatives of the highest church ranks. Astrologers believe that black garnet is capable of strengthening the strong-willed qualities of its owner, making him work for results, attracting good luck and helping him earn good capital.
For Women In terms of energy, it’s best to buy yourself red or orange stone. The sunny gem gives a lady self-confidence, makes her be a little more modest, more compliant, wiser, and helps her establish good relationships both in her family and at work. And jewelry with inserts of several gems will work best: for example, look for a bracelet made of garnets – such an accessory will not only look great on your hand, but will also help in life matters.
Garnet is a stone that adds grace and nobility to jewelry. The gem has a beautiful color palette, as well as properties that have a beneficial effect on the owner of the accessory. Due to its great popularity, the mineral is often counterfeit and sell it as an authentic copy. In order not to fall for the bait of unscrupulous sellers, every lover of natural stones should know the secrets with which you can distinguish a real nugget from an imitation.
Description
Garnet is a gemstone that has a rich color range of deep red shades. You can also find green, black, purple specimens. Most often, the shade of a mineral depends on where it is mined, as well as the presence of impurities. Mineralogists identify the following varieties stone:
- pyrope (dark red);
- almandine (purple-black);
- grossular (yellow-green);
- spessartine (orange);
- uvarovite (bright green);
- andradite (red, green, yellow);
- hessonite (light brown);
- leucogranate (transparent);
- melanitis (black).
In Russia, the territories of the Urals and the Kola Peninsula are rich in pomegranate
We distinguish a genuine copy from an imitation
If you are planning to buy new garnet jewelry, you should remember some rules that will help you not fall for the tricks of deceptive sellers.
- Pay attention to the gloss. Real garnet does not have too much shine. Its luster will be muted, and in some cases the stone will have a slightly matte finish.
- Please be aware in advance that products with real mineral are rarely large in size. If you see a stone that is too large, then most likely it is a synthetic analogue, especially if it has a greenish tint.
- Study the color of the nugget. The color of a genuine stone cannot be uniform; some areas will be saturated, while others will be slightly pale. As for glass accessories, their color will be the same on all sides.
- Pay attention to inclusions. Natural garnets often have small chips, damage, and air bubbles. Synthetic stone will be perfectly clean.
- Look at the play of light. The sun’s rays should not pass through the mineral evenly. For this reason, the iridescence will be visible right inside the nugget. This feature cannot be found in a fake.
Additional methods
If you already have jewelry with garnet, but for some reason you doubt its authenticity, you can check it mechanical in ways.
- Hold the mineral in your palm. It should remain cool for a while, just like other natural nuggets. Glass or plastic will quickly heat up from your body heat.
- Pass the product over a piece of glass or mirror. If it is a garnet, then it is capable of leaving a scratch on the surface, as it has high hardness.
- Rub the accessory with woolen material. A genuine copy will certainly have magnetism and attract thin paper to itself. Glass and plastic in this case will not react to wool in any way.
These tips and tricks will help you choose a decent jewelry option, paying for a genuine piece, and not for a fake. Real stone will last much longer than glass. It will not fade and will be less likely to suffer mechanical damage.