January Gemstone: Garnet

January 31, 2024 1 min read

Out of all the semi-precious gemstones; garnets enjoy a certain level of fame, not entirely undeserved. Garnet is the birthstone for January and the gem for the second anniversary. You might get an image of a red gemstone when you think of garnets but would you know it, this celebrity gemstone comes in a myriad of colors. So many that Garnet is really the family name of wide range of gemstones.

The name Garnet covers a group of five minerals - pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular and andradite. These minerals all come in different colors sometimes more than one. The most populous type of garnet is red garnet. It has been worn and used in jewellery since ancient times. Pharaohs in ancient Egypt wore neck adornment studded with garnets and signet rings in Rome often had garnet intaglios that were used to stamp the wax that secured important documents. The other colors of garnet were only identified in modern times.

Africa supplies most of the world's Garnet, with Zimbabwe sporting a respectable amount. In terms of hardness and toughness, the different garnets range from 6.5 to 7.5 on Moh's scale of hardness. This means they can be scratched by diamonds, sapphires and rubies but they can scratch opals and moonstones in turn. So garnets will last when you take care of them.

Once upon a time people believed that garnets could soothe an angry heart; not surprising when you consider the intense romantic color of red garnets. We always have garnets in our jewellery, they work well alone or paired with other gemstones. Find garnets in our collections here.

Client Reviews

from 59 reviews

Varaidzo V. Yvette Mahlahla

Butterfly Ring Size N

Butterfly ring

As usual, top notch service from Eileen. I love my ring and I have been wearing it every day since I received it

01/22/2024

Victor Steenbergen

Flame Lily earrings

Great earrings

12/27/2023

Keith Kanyowa

Africa Map Chain - Silver

silver men's chain

Great piece! Love it!

12/21/2023

Emmaculate Magugu

Green Labradorite Chain

A beautiful piece. Its so stunning. I will orer again

12/20/2023

Keitha Taylor

Msasa Pod chain

Fantastic service delivering a beautiful necklace - thank you so much!

10/06/2023

Phatie

Mystery Box 2

Totally amazing!

I loved everything that was in box. Every piece was unique and special in its own. It also felt like the items were tailor made for me. Like I prefer hook earrings to those with stoppers and I got an amazing pair of hook earrings. The box brought brightened my day :-)

09/18/2023

Petrina Lança

Mystery Box 2

Mysteriously Delighted

From taking the chance at trying out the mystery box✨ to waiting for it to arrive I had butterflies in my tummy. 🦋 What a delight to receive it and being surprised with such a wonderful treat. 🧚🏻‍♀️ In my mind I thought I’d regift the items for the many birthdays that are coming up but….. now I don’t know that I can 🤭
From ordering to receiving is always such a smooth ride. Thank you! … and I guess I’ll be shopping again soon 🥰

08/17/2023

Jessica Folkertsen

Mystery Box 2

Delighted

Last year I saw a particular piece that I adored in the Mystery Boxes but never ordered anything, this year I saw the same piece and when I asked Eileen how much the piece was on its own I thought I may as well go for the Mystery Box and hope for the best, so I crossed everything and ordered and I received my Mystery Box that I am so totally delighted with - I received the very special chain that I had my eye on, plus a stunning ring that I haven't seen in Eileen's shop and a beautfiul pair of earrings. I feel greedy keeping it all so may gift something forward but I also don't want to share! lol
Thank you Eileen for your stunning jewelry and this wonderful Mystery Box idea!

08/15/2023

S.S.

www.eileenmjewellery.com

$150 gift box

I am so extremely happy with my gift box. I can't tell you how ecstatic I was to receive my box. And then to see that I received the mystery necklace as well! I'm over the moon with what I received! Rhank you Eileen for making my weekend so very special!!

08/15/2023

Tadiwanashe Kainga

www.eileenmjewellery.com

Great service and product

08/02/2023