Red Garnets are the classic gem Garnet that everyone knows.

In olden times (before the development of sophisticated gemological techniques) almost any red gemstone was known as ‘carbuncle’, derived from the Latin word for “live coal” or burning charcoal.

Garnets are part of a large family of silicate minerals that have similar physical properties but vary in chemical composition.

The name ‘Garnet’ derives from the Latin word for seed, possibly associated with the fruit Pomegranate whose seed covers resemble some Garnets.

Like most gem quality garnets this is formed from a mix of different species of garnet – in this case primarily pyrope and almandine.

Red Garnets generally saturate in color as they get bigger in size, like most gem quality garnets.

Pure Garnet would be colorless; it is the trace elements that give garnets their colors. For example, iron and chromium create reds and greens; chromium and vanadium create greens, and manganese creates pinks and oranges.

Garnet is the birthstone for January and comes in almost all colors of the spectrum including the rare color-change.

Lots of choice for January birthdays!

We have many more shapes and sizes available in Red Garnet – please contact us if you don’t find what you are looking for in our online inventory.