Tag: garnet jewelry

If you were one of those lucky babies who had the fortune of being born in January, then do we have some great news for you. The beautiful, exquisite, and jaw-dropping garnet is your birthstone, and while it has numerous color variants, none are perhaps as intense and fiery as the red garnet. Although red garnets are the most common color of garnet, the term “garnet” actually describe a group of closely related minerals, many of which have different colors. For our purposes, however, we will be focusing exclusively on the red garnet in this article and all of its unique variations and styles.

The History of the Garnet Gemstone

The first known uses of red garnet stones are found around the necks of ancient Egyptian pharaohs, whose mummified remains are adorned by them. In ancient Rome, rings which were built for the express purpose of stamping the durable wax which sealed documents had carved garnets. As history progressed into the Middle Ages, members of the clergy adopted the red garnet as their signature stone. Since these early times, garnets have been exceedingly popular in society, and the garnet still retains its prestige and popularity even thousands of years later – and not just among the upper classes, these days. Let’s take a look now at some of the different forms of the red garnet we offer as a stone setting option at Knox Jewelers.

The Types of Garnets

As stated previously, the garnet describes a family of different but related minerals. In particular, we want to highlight Almandine and Pyrope garnets, as well as their red colored variants mozambique and rhodalite. Each serves a specific purpose and has its own unique characteristics and properties.

Almandine is the most common type of garnet. Although most stones of this type are generally unsuitable for use in unique jewelry, it is often mixed with Pyrope to form mozambique, a generally pure red variant with a slightly lighter tone than similar garnets. Most almandine stones by themselves are not directly used in jewelry.

Pyrope is a blood-red variant of garnet, and it is absolutely stunning, especially when combined with Almandine to form mozambique. It is durable, strong, and quite stunning. A specific subtype of Pyrope, rhodalite, gets its name for its rose-like color and inclusion-free appearance. It too is often used in garnet jewelry, and it has a very lovely appearance that balances well with white gold and yellow gold.

Red Garnet Engagement Rings at Knox Jewelers

At Knox Jewelers, we have been crafting unique engagement rings and custom jewelery with red garnet stones for many years. Any of our custom engagement rings can be outfitted with a garnet stone setting, and the red color of these gemstones looks absolutely stunning with gold metals, platinum, and more. Our garnet jewelry is perfect for that special someone who happens to have a January birthday.

Any one of our intricately handcrafted bands or other types of jewelry can be used in conjunction with a red garnet stone setting, including engagement rings, wedding bands, pendants, earrings, and more. We are more than happy to help you craft the perfect combination of metal, custom design work, and red garnet stone that will truly make January a memorable month for your beloved.

Caring for Garnet

Caring for our custom engagement rings or other custom jewelry which uses garnet stones is essential for the longevity of the piece. Garnet is generally regarded as a tough stone and is quite durable, but it still should not be subjected to hard impacts or harsh chemicals. The ideal method for cleaning garnet items involves the use of warm water and soap, though ultrasonic cleaners are also effective, save for stones with fractures – generally, however, we advise using a soft tooth brush and soapy warm water to gently scrub the jewelry.

Have Any Questions?

We personally cannot think of a better gift for your loved one with a January birthday than red garnet custom jewelry. If you have any questions at all about the qualities and attributes of the many different kinds of red garnet, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We look forward to helping you design the perfect engagement ring or other jewelry for your loved one!