Buy Garnets
When you want to buy garnets there are some useful tips you can use to help ensure you get the genuine article at a good price.
Garnet originated from the Latin word ‘granatus’, which means grain. There is some though that it is a reference to the pomegranate fruit whose seeds are similar in size and shape to many garnets.
Garnets come in many colors including green, purple, orange, yellow and even black. But it is the red garnets that are the most well known and the most popular.
Various minerals found in garnet stones are responsible for the variations in color.
It is a good idea to buy garnets from a reputable jeweler. The chain jewelery stores generally do not have much choice in garnets and they will tend to be the cheaper, perhaps even synthetic, rather than the higher quality garnets that are available.
A garnet should have good clarity. This means it should be clear of inclusion (bubbles or ‘holes within the garnet) and no flaws or cracks on the surface. This is a good way to check for flaws and scratches.
The bigger the garnet the better it is to see. A really top quality garnet can be worth more than a diamond so it is a good idea to get an appraisal certificate with the garnet when you buy it.
The setting is most important also. It should be a claw or prong setting, not ‘glued’ in. If it is glued in the chances are:
It is a fake or cheap synthetic
You cannot examine the underside for flaws or scratches.
It is very difficult to see inclusions in the stone.
Watch for cracks showing where the prongs are, that can indicate a too tight prong holding the garnet in place and is a possible crack through the stone making it worthless.
If you possibly can, get an appraisal certificate when you buy your garnet. This is helpful when you want to insure it as well as establish the genuineness of the stone.
It is a good idea to examine two or more garnets together if you can and in natural light also. That way you can select the stone you like.
Lastly feel free to bargain with the jeweler. These days turnover is low so jewelers are more willing to go that extra mile to get a sale when step into their shop to buy garnets.