What Are the Different Types of Garnets?

Popularly known as the birthstone of January, the garnet is one gem that’s on everybody’s wish list. But did you know? You can pick from almost 20 different species of garnets! Yes, red is not the only shade that this gem is available in.

What Is Natural Gemstone?

But in order to keep things simple and for ease of understanding, we’ll put the spotlight on the few main varieties of garnet.

Pyrope
Almandine
Spessartine
Grossularite
Andradite
Demantoid
Rhodolite

1. Pyrope

Found abundantly in nature, pyrope is available in shades ranging from purple to orangey-red. In comparison to other species of garnet, this one is relatively inexpensive.

2. Almandine

The presence of aluminum silicate is responsible for giving this particular variety its deep red hue.

3. Spessartine

This one can be found in shades ranging from fiery orange to reddish-brown. Spessartine gets its name from Spessart – a mountain range in Germany, where it is found in abundance.

4. Grossularite

This beautiful variety of garnet can be found in three sub-categories. They are as follows…

Tsavorite: Vivid green in color, tsavorite is considered one of the most valuable types of garnet.
Hydrogrossular: This is typically opaque in appearance and has a greenish color tone.
Leuco: A colorless grossularite garnet.

5. Andradite

Due to limited availability and its excellent light dispersion ability, the andradite is considered an extremely sought-after variety of garnet. It is further categorized into two main sub-varieties.

Melanite: This particular type of garnet is high on brilliance and showcases a beautiful black color.
Topazolite: Typically sourced from Bavaria, Germany, Italy and Namibia (among other places), this variant is blessed with a gorgeous yellowish-green hue.

6. Demantoid

This particular variety of andradite is considered the most valuable type of garnet. Presence of chromium gives this gem an alluring green color.

7. Rhodolite

Named after the Greek word for rose, ‘rhodon’, the color of a rhodolite can range from a deep purplish-red to a rose-red hue. It’s interesting to note that this beautiful gem happens to be a blend of pyrope and almandine garnets.

What makes a garnet special?

Famed for its intense red hue, the garnet is undeniably a breathtaking jewel. It derives its name from the Latin word ‘garanatus’ meaning ‘seed-like’ and the Middle English word ‘gernet’ which means ‘dark red’. This is in reference to its resemblance to the seeds of a pomegranate.

While red is the most common color, we’ve now learned that this gem has a family packed with intriguing varieties and species. From colorless to green and orange to jet black, the color palette of the garnet is truly mind-boggling. This is exactly what makes this gem special and unique.

Unlike other gemstones, garnets originate from a group of closely related minerals, which results in these colorful varieties.

Parting Note

Garnet is mined all across the globe with Australia, United States, India and China being the top producers. The price of this gem depends on the variety and its demand in the market. But no matter which type of garnet you finally choose, make sure you opt for the best quality-grade available so you can make the most of this garnet’s colors.