Archive for the 'All About Garnets' Category
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
Green Garnets, also known as demantoids were relatively unknown until recently. This outstanding gem is incomparable in its brilliance and is called demantoid or “diamond-like” because of this very brilliance and incredible luminosity. Its ability to split the light that comes through its facets and break into a veritable rainbow is supposed to be even much better than that of the diamond. Apparently, the green garnet is the most expensive of all garnets and is considered a very precious stone among gemstones. This beautiful gem looks best in daylight and its incandescent light tends to make the stone look yellowish green but it does have great clarity.
Having been discovered in Russia in 1868, Carl Faberge, the famous jeweler is said to have simply adored it for its sheer brilliance and never forgot to include it in his famous collector’s items. Its fame however faded away pretty soon during the First World War until it made a come back in 1990 when a goat heard discovered it once again in Namibia. That is another story in itself and worth reading about, but I don’t aim to go that far at present. The Namibian green garnets come in a range of colors from a light green to an intense blue green with its characteristic brilliance and is said to work extremely well in jewelry. Unfortunately however, the stones from Namibia do not have the horse-tail inclusion found in Russia, which made it a very special kind of precious stone that increased its value. Although this may sound surprising due to the fact that usually inclusions bring down the value of a stone, the green garnets are different in that a well formed horse-tail inclusion increases its value where collectors are prepared to a very high price for this “flaw”.
When buying green garnets, they are usually found in the cushion cut or the round brilliant cut and being the most expensive of all garnets, could even fetch a price of up to US$ 10,000 for a quality stone. The price of green garnets as in many other gemstones depends on its size and number of carats, although less expensive low quality jewels can be bought for few dollars a carat. When buying green garnets, if you are interested in purchasing the best, you should buy the Russian stones, although deposits from countries such as Namibia, Italy and Iran do produce green garnets of a lesser quality and cheaper price.
Like most gem stones, some green garnets are also given the heat treatment to improve its color. The difference however in testing the originality of the green garnet and other stones is that the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) will not be able identify or determine whether the stone has been treated or where it originated from. According to them, current technology is not sufficient to detect these features up to now. Although it has never been synthesized, there are a number of fake green garnets in the market which can be green glass or any other quartz made to look like the real stone. Therefore, you have to be extremely wary when buying green garnets from anywhere.
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Saturday, July 31st, 2010
When it comes to men’s jewelry the garnet ring is one of the most popular pieces. The typically deep red color screams of masculinity. This rock is one of the most popular stones for men outside of the onyx. It has adorned the crowns of kings and warriors for thousands of years. Now it is popular as a ring for men.
The Garnet
Garnet is one of the most fascinating of all the gemstones. This is because the rocks that are considered to be garnet are so different from one another in so many ways. The traditional garnet is a deep red, sometimes slightly orange color. However, garnet comes in a wide variety of colors. There is even a type of garnet that changes colors.
The type of garnet that changes colors is often mistaken for other types of gem. It can appear a wide range of color in natural light including beige, blue, grey, and green. In incandescent light it will appear red or pink in tone.
Other varieties of this stone include orange, red, green, blue purple, black brown, clear, and pink to name a few. The rarest of all forms comes in the color blue. This version was only recently discovered.
History
The history of the garnet helps us to understand why it is such a popular choice for male jewelry. Going back to the barbarians and late Roman Empire you will find the crowns of kings were often encrusted with garnet and gold. This has contributed greatly to the men garnet ring that we regularly see in fine jewelers today.
Current Uses
Today this stone is used for more than just the production of jewelry. It is also used in various industrial practices like sandblasting. Garnet makes a fantastic abrasive and is used not only is sandblasting but also in some forms of sandpaper, particularly the types used to furniture makers and other wood craftsman.
Garnet is also important to the geological world. Garnet is often the root of most igneous or metamorphic rock. This means simply that garnet can help to trace the roots and origins of these types of rock. It can help to determine their age, among other things. Geological scientists often take an interest in new garnet mines for this reason.
Finding Quality Garnet Rings
Like most gemstones a variety of synthetic versions of this stone have entered the market. Though relatively indistinguishable from other types of garnet, the highest quality garnet rings are those that are made from true gemstones.
The majority of garnet rings that are to be acquired today come in the traditional reddish orange color that has made the name of this rock. If you want a truly rare find, combing high quality shops may help to turn up a highly colorful garnet. Though red and gold are the traditional colors for the men’s garnet jewelry, it is possible to find silver and platinum casing. It is also acceptable to purchase one of the rarer colors for the man who is interested in having fine things. He will be impressed with your search to find a true rarity in the gem world.
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Friday, July 2nd, 2010
Garnets come in all colors except blue and is said to protect the wearer when traveling. The most popular of all garnets are the red colored stone that looks perfect on any woman and ideal to give as a gift because they are so reasonably priced. Garnet bracelets have become very popular since of recent because its deep warm red hue is the perfect foil for a woman of charm and beauty.
Being a semi precious stone, the garnet is very often used in the formation of some of the most beautiful handmade jewelry in the world. Named as the birthstone for the month of January, the name garnet was derived from the Latin name for grain since it resembles the ruby red seed found inside the pomegranate. Although the main source of the garnet is Africa, it is also mined in Russia, Brazil and Central Europe.
Buying garnet bracelets is no big deal if you check the many web sites on the internet that sell this beautiful stone set in either silver or gold. When buying garnet bracelets, you have to be careful that you are buying the real thing. Not all garnets are of high quality; but those that are, come in beautifully set jewelry with rings and bracelets taking the top slots. The range of colors that this stone has is truly amazing. You can opt to buy a pair of lime green garnet earrings, a pink garnet set in a gold ring or even orange garnets to match a particular outfit. The best however is the claret red garnet set in a gold or silver bracelet that would look stunningly beautiful encircling the slender arm of a beautiful girl.
Garnets are said to be available in different forms due to rock formations that occur as a result of intense heat produced by volcanoes. This makes the stone very tough and as such very durable and long lasting. Before buying your garnet bracelet, decide on the price range and how much you can afford. This will narrow down your choice making it easy when you shop. As always, the larger and clearer the stone, the rarer and more expensive it will be.
When finding garnet bracelets, it’s always better to first check the jewelry markets in your area or online where you should be able to get a very good price; whereas you might have to pay double that amount at a fashionable boutique. Furthermore, you can always bargain at a market; which can never be done in a specialty boutique where they stick to the marked price. Never purchase the first garnet bracelet you see just because you like it; visit as many stores as possible and look for the range of garnet bracelets they have and when you see something you like, try to negotiate. Make a note of the item and the price quoted by them before you move on to the next store.
If your perfect garnet bracelet is available at more than one jewelry store, show them what others have quoted and if those prices are less try to negotiate for a better price. It is always possible when the proprietor realizes that he might miss a sale if he’s not willing to negotiate.
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Monday, June 7th, 2010
Garnet, the birth stone of the month of January is one of the most sought after gemstones and has a brilliant deep red shine that can be compared to the ruby red seeds of a ripe pomegranate. This is also a stone that can be worn with your favorite evening gown or during the day time to add a touch of class to a pair of designer jeans. There can be no woman on earth who will not be thrilled by a gift of a garnet necklace or even a pair of garnet earnings because they have so much seductive powers of their own. Just be sure when you are buying garnets that you are getting the genuine quality for your money.
When you know how to buy garnets, you can avoid most of the pitfalls that most buyers are faced with due to unscrupulous jewelers who try to pass off fake stones as genuine. Always buy your gemstones from a reputed jeweler most of whom you can find online. Buying garnets online can be very convenient because you can always compare designs and prices before deciding which piece of jewelry to buy. You will not, of course, be able to see for yourself the true magnificence of the stone, but you can always make the jeweler understand that if you are not happy with your purchase, you will be returning it. In order to do this however, the store concerned must have a return policy which is very important when you are buying costly jewelry online.
Even garnets are categorized according to colors which decide the price; with the most affordable garnet being pyrope, which is also the most popular of all the red garnets. The most expensive garnets are the ones that have a peachy-orange color, known as umbalite, and the beautiful green garnets that are called demantoid. Always look for the cut, clarity, carats and cost which is the cardinal rule for gemstone shopping and in the case of garnets, the number of carats can go up to 10 with a stone of great quality having perfect clarity. The exception to the rule is the green garnets which come with inclusions.
Like most gem stones, garnets are also heat treated to enhance their color which any reputable jeweler will inform you of before purchase. You don’t have to worry about this practice because it does not lessen the value of the stone. When buying garnets, don’t buy the first necklace or bracelet you see. Visit as many jewelers as possible–which is not a problem at all if you’re doing your shopping on the internet. Compare designs and prices and be ready with price quotes from other jewelry stores to be able to negotiate for something you really want. Most jewelers will be willing to do so if you can prove that it is possible for you to buy the same or comparable garnet jewelry from another store for a lesser price.
Even though most jewelry stores ensure the quality of their gem stones before they put them out on sale, it is always better to get a second opinion before you buy a really expensive garnet which could have inclusions and flaws which you might not be able to recognize. These flaws may lessen the value of the stone to a great extent.
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Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
Did you know that the name garnet is derived from the word pomegranate in Greek which is a fruit that has a cluster of ruby red gem like seeds within? Garnets belong to one of the largest families of gemstones and the term “bohemian garnet” refers to the garnet gemstones which are exclusively mined in the former bohemian empire which is now a part of the Czech Republic. This fiery colored stone is the world famous bohemian garnet and is mined from the Bohemian mounts for more than 600 years.
Long ago, people believed that garnets had curative powers and helped to overcome feelings of sorrow. They became very famous when the Russian Tsarinas adorned their dresses with these gemstones. Bohemian garnets that are popular today originated in the latter part of the 19th century and have distinctive characteristics, which is one of the reasons they are almost always used in arrangements with special emphasis placed on the stones with very little metal being visible in any piece of jewelry. The Bohemian garnet has a brilliant sparkle due to its high refraction of light making it a stone that is transparent and clear and exudes beauty, and elegance.
Over the course of time, the Bohemian garnet gained in popularity all over the world while its beauty and characteristics remain unchanged. In view of its popularity however, many fake reproductions have been produced in the name of the Bohemian Garnet. Therefore, anyone who is interested in buying these very valuable gemstones should make it a point to buy them from an authorized known source who can supply them with a manufacturer’s certificate authenticating the Bohemian Garnets.
When buying Bohemian Garnets, you have to look at them very closely and carefully from every angle possible to ensure its genuineness. The cut of the stone is of much importance because the even color of the stone will be visible only if the cut is good and any flaws in the gemstone will result in the lowering of its value. If you hope to buy Bohemian garnets online at discount rates, you must be extra careful, in checking for imperfections in the stones.
Garnets are usually mounted in yellow gold, gold plated or mixed with other metal as the base for the setting of the gemstones and since of recent in Sterling silver. This glorious gemstone which is famous for the encrusted look of closely set stones are mostly rose cut and at times combined with other precious stones such as cabochons.
Even though the Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January, there is no reason why those born in other months cannot buy them or get them as gifts. Bohemian garnets mounted in any setting is the perfect piece of jewelry to be given to any woman who will value it not only for its beauty but also for the curative and uplifting effects it is supposed to have. Extremely varied in style, Bohemian garnets can be found in any range of colors from the deep crimson to the sparkling transparency of the pomegranate and every color and shade imaginable, except in the color blue.
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Saturday, March 6th, 2010
For many people, a garnet engagement ring is a great investment, if you’re hoping to propose marriage. As a symbol of faithfulness and friendship, incorporating January’s birthstone into a marriage proposal is a great way to show love. And so, it makes sense that garnet is paired with other stones, to create a truly unique look. For some, the traditional diamond doesn’t cut it. Though it is a long-standing symbol of love, many find it clichéd.
With today’s uncertain economy, many are looking for affordable and beautiful alternatives to a diamond engagement ring. Of course, finding a garnet engagement ring that suits your style can be a challenge. There are a great many of styles and colors available. It is first important to consider the colors of garnet. Garnet is usually known for its rich, reddish color. However, there are many variations to this red, and some garnets are of a different color completely.
A rhodolite garnet is a rare type of garnet. It has a pinkish purple hue and is often tinted with shades of crimson and orange. Most of us think of a deep orangey red stone, when it comes to garnet. However, there are many other colours, all of which are beautiful, when paired with other colored garnet stones. According to gem experts, garnet comes in every color of the rainbow, with the exception of blue. While red is the most well-known color of garnet, green garnets are actually the most valuable. A green garnet has a rich green color and often is just as beautiful as an emerald.
Garnet rings, as a general rule, can be found at just about any jeweler. However, you can have a beautiful green garnet ring custom made for you. This, of course, requires you to buy separate stones and a ring setting. The nice part about this, though, is that you get exactly what you want. Not to mention your significant other will be charmed with the ring’s beauty.
The key to finding the perfect garnet engagement ring lies in knowing what to look for. Many engagement rings come as diamond solitaires, so you may want to get a garnet solitaire and expand on that look. What you could do is take a green garnet solitaire and have it surrounded with small diamonds. You could also have the garnet channel set in a wedding band and the place bezel set diamonds in the shank. Whatever the case, make sure that buying garnets is a top priority on your list. The quality and clarity of the garnet stone will determine the beauty of the ring. Having diamonds set in the ring also creates a versatile look that looks great with any outfit.
The key here lies in knowing what’s out there. Many garnet engagement rings feature three garnet stones set side by side. In some cases, the stones are paired with inset diamonds, which create a rich look. Garnet rings are quite popular, because of their affordability, when compared to other stones.
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Saturday, January 16th, 2010
Buying garnets online is a great convenience in today’s online marketplace. Every day, online retailers and private jewelery sellers post garnets for sale on the internet. Finding the right retailer is easy. There are hundreds of retailers out there, many of which sell at wholesale prices. The key to finding the right garnet is in knowing where to look.
Type in the search term, “buy garnet online” into any search engine, and you will get a lot of results that link to special online jewelery stores. If you want to buy garnets at a low price, online auctions are a great place to start. Websites, such as Overstock.com and Ebay, sell garnets at low prices. You can buy the stones singly or as a piece of jewelery.
If you’re looking to buy garnets at very low prices, you may want to start with a live, online auction. Sites, such as Bidz.com, start the bidding at $1.00. You can also watch the bidding, to see how much people are willing to spend. Then, compare prices online, to see who has the best deal. Buying garnets online saves you money, because many prices are lower than those of expensive, mainstream jewelers.
You can also do price comparisons online. Sites, such as Yahoo give you the opportunity to view prices of garnet jewelery that are listed on other jewelery websites. Many online retailers are now slashing prices, because of the current economic slump. Bluenile.com, however, is flourishing, because their prices are significantly lower than those of their competitors.
According to experts, the nice thing about buying garnets online is that you can purchase an entire jewelery set in only a matter of minutes. In addition to traditionally-sized garnet rings, you can also buy adjustable size garnet rings. Such rings can be purchased in sterling silver or gold, depending on your preference.
Of course, you need to know what to look for. According to experts, you shouldn’t settle for a low quality ring. Many jewelery websites feature reviews that are written by consumers. These reviews are honest and usually not edited by the site’s webmaster. Based upon the reviews, you should be able to make an informed decision about what you like and whether or not the product will work for you.
However, you should rely on reviews alone. Go to the stores and compare store prices to online prices. As a general rule, online prices tend to be more competitive than those at standard retailers.
Another thing to take into consideration is sizing. Many wholesale websites allow you to choose a specific size, and a few even sell half sizes. It may be better to purchase garnet jewelery from these sites, because you get more for your money. This is because you don’t have to pay extra to have the ring sized.
Some online retailers are better than others. However, you need to shop around to find the right one for you. The best way to find the best jeweler for you is to do an online search on sites, such as yahoo or google.
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Monday, May 4th, 2009
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.
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Friday, March 13th, 2009
Buying Garnet earrings is an easy thing to do provided you do a little research and ensure you buy what you want in the way of garnets and not what the sales person wants to sell you.
Garnets come in many colors and are not as expensive as some other gemstones but, nevertheless, can be just as enchanting. They are also becoming more popular these days and you can find garnets in many more jewelers than before.
The Garnet is the birthstone for January and originates from the Latin ‘granatus’ meaning ‘grain’. Speculation is that this is a reference to the pomegranate fruit with seeds of a similar shape, size and color to some garnet stones.
When buying garnets ensure that it is a true garnet and not a cheaper stone. Ask to see some proof that it is a garnet. A certificate or written documentation, particularly if it is a larger more expensive stone, is most important. The certificate should show the weight of the stone, the color, clarity and shape or cut.
You can browse many jewelers online that have garnet stones in earrings and so it is easy to do a comparison and find just the shape and style you want.
When you do check the following to ensure you are getting what you paid for.
Is the dealer bona fide? In other words is the dealer easily contactable? Is there a fixed address? Phone number and email address you can use? Are they a member of the Better Business Bureau? Are they a member of a gemological association? Is there some history of who they are and how they got started available? All these things will go to establishing their genuineness.
Next, does the jeweler or dealer have a returns policy? In other words, when you get the garnet earrings home and see them in the true light of day, do they match up to the description given on the website, and if not can you return them for a full refund?
Doing some due diligence and research can ensure that you do get what you pay for and, more importantly, what you desire.
Garnets are a wonderful stone and buying garnet earrings, whether for yourself or another, can indeed be a pleasurable experience.
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Wednesday, November 8th, 2006
The garnet comes in a variety of colors actually so makes an ideal garnet ring. Garnets come in colors from deep red to a brilliant green, pale and bright yellow and even a fiery orange.
Garnets are in high demand and often make excellent rings with other stones such as diamonds, rubies and emeralds also. As a result they are ideal for just about any fashion trend and suit most skin colors and tones.
Garnets are also very hard being close to diamond on the hardness scale and they have a high refraction resulting in their popular brilliance. They are very sturdy and quite suitable for everyday wear and fit in with most other jewelry.
A good browse and check can find a good bargain in garnet rings. Auctions are a great place to find antique garnet rings and the quality, if come from a deceased estate, can be quite striking.
With garnet rings always check that the setting is a proper and tight fit and the stone is not lose. Garnets get grimy as well as other stones so a wash in warm soapy water, rinsed and dried well at regular intervals is always a good idea.
Garnets were popular in Victorian times so it is quite possible to find some excellent Victorian antique garnet rings that can be quite valuable. Such rinds should be checked for their quality and a certificate from an independent gemological laboratory is a wise move especially for insurance purposes.
Garnet jewelry is among the favorite among gemstone connoisseurs and the garnet ring probably ranks as the most popular
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