Garnet Bracelets
History of the Garnet
Garnets, it is said were extensively used by the Greeks and Romans who used them for the purpose of engraving imperial portraits, while the Indians wore them against the plague and poison and to ward off ill health and lightening. Garnets are normally found in Australia, North America, Brazil and Mexico.
Being the birthstone of the January baby, it is said to have its very own seductive powers and is the ideal gift to be given to your lover. It comes in shades of red, purple, pink, yellow, brown, and orange and has a powerful shine to it. It is believed that when the garnet changes color it’s a warning to the owner, of impending danger and was therefore very much in vogue and treated as a great treasure in the ancient times.
How to Buy a Garnet B
Always go to a trusted jeweler and ask for a bracelet with genuine garnets and inquire if the stones have been treated. There are certain treatments that are carried out anyhow such as irradiation and coating to enhance the color. This does not make a difference in the value. Ask anyway.
Know what you can afford and look for a setting in that price range. Remember that large stones are more expensive and rare although there are times you might be lucky enough to find a perfectly beautiful piece from a jewelry market at a reasonable price, whereas the same piece might be sold at double the price at a small branded boutique.
When buying garnets, check for the clarity of the stones. The highest quality garnets are found mostly in Russia and have a brilliant finish to it with the pink and red garnets being the most popular, due to their vivid and even color.
Hold the bracelet against the light and see if light reflects off the surface of the stones. Check it from every angle possible to see how even the surface is. Although garnets are normally small in size, there are larger stones which can be cut into shapes to be set in a bracelet or necklace.
Most jewelers have their jewelry checked carefully before display. You must however check again before buying garnets for any visible inclusions or flaws which will bring down the value of the stone.
Don’t always buy the first bracelet you see and like. Compare a few pieces side by side and see how the colors appear to you, how transparent the stones are and the way the light reflects off the stones. Buy the bracelet that looks most appealing to you.
Check with many jewelers as possible before you settle on buying garnets. It’s very important to compare prices because most dealers are willing to negotiate if you can show them better prices from competitors.
Where to buy Garnets
There are several reputed jewelers from whom you can buy garnet bracelets. Shopping online for jewelry however, is very convenient because of the many sites they have where you can compare prices and designs within the comfort of your own home. The one negative aspect is that you cannot see and feel the luster of a particular piece of jewelry on the computer.
If you are shopping online to buy garnets, always check about the store’s return policy and ensure that you compare prices, and read about their merchant ratings and customer reviews in order to get an idea about the reputation of the store.