Fact 1: The name garnet comes from the Latin word “granatus”, which means “seed” or “grain”, as this lovely gemstone is quite similar to pomegranate seeds in hue and shape! Because of this, it is associated with the story of Hades and Persephone.
Fact 2: In Italy garnet was called “pietra della vedovanza”, or “stone of widowhood” because it was often traditionally worn by widows as accessories (typically hair pins and brooches).
Fact 3: Garnet comes in a wide variety of colors, not just the classic red we associate it with! Other types of garnet come in green, pink, orange, and purple!
Fact 4: The historical use of garnet dated back to the Bronze Age, so it’s been adored by many cultures and civilizations for about five-thousand years!
Fact 5: Garnet is the traditional stone that’s meant to be gifted on the second wedding anniversary.
2 for 1 deal... Spessartine Garnet with Smoky Quartz... 🤗
Spessartine garnet and smoky quartz typically co-crystalize with each other. Spessartine garnet is (obvsly) a form of garnet, sometimes known as the Garnet of the Sun 🫶
Smoky quartz (also sometimes known as cairngorm (hi hnk) ) is. Obviously. A form of quartz. It gets its dark grey brown color from natural radiation from the aluminum present when forming. (i had no idea about this i JUST learned this woah..)
Smoky quartz is one of my favorites... and garnet is also my birthstone teehee
Translucent gemmy smoky quartz crystals to 4 cm in length set in a microcline crystal matrix that is scattered with gemmy orange-red spessartine crystals to 0.75 cm. Specimen Size in mm: 120 x 80 x 60. From Wushan Spessartine Mine, Tongbei, Fujian, China