almandine
GEOLOGICAL
A silica-based mineral.
Purplish-red pyrope and red almandine garnets are the most sought after.
Pyrope garnets are formed in igneous rocks that contain little silica.
Almandine garnets form in metamorphic rock.
Grossular Garnet is the lightest form of Garnet, coming in hues of pink and orange.
Rates a 6.5-7 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Although Garnet is usually thought of as a red gem, it actually comes in a variety of colours such as:
DEMANTOID-derived from the German word Demant, meaning diamond-like, because it yields lustre greater than diamonds! Is an Emerald green colour.
HESSONITE-comes in two colours-golden and cinnamon.
MALAIA-red-orange to pink-orange.
MANDARIN & SPESSARTITE-intense red-orange.
PYROPE-deep red.
FOLKLORE & LEGEND
Derived from the Latin word for pomegranate-granatum-as they were thought to resemble the seeds of the fruit.
Garnets have been popular as jewellery since Roman times.
Garnets were buried with Vikings to light their passage to
A purse inlaid with Garnets was found in a burial site at Sutton Hoo,
Garnet has long been associated with fire and was said possess the ability to light up the night sky.
Been given a Garnet as a gift in the Middle Ages was said to bring good luck, but bad luck would befall anyone who stole it from you! Although, if your Garnet lost its colour, it was a sign of impending doom!
According to biblical legend, it was a Garnet that lit the way to salvation for Noah and his ark.
It is one of the birthstones of January and the zodiac sign of Aquarius.
HEALING
Known as the stone of commitment as it was thought to enhance emotions, passion and devotion.
Said to alleviate depression.
Red Garnets in particular control anger.
It regenerates the body and DNA and aids in the metabolism of vitamins and minerals.
Used in the treatment of heart trouble, inflammation and thyroid imbalances.
blue
GEOLOGICAL
Goldstone is a man-made stone comprising glass heated with copper pyrite to produce Beautiful coppery-gold sparkles.
It was apparently originally created when alchemists were trying to produce gold.
ATTRIBUTES
Although it is man made, it still has some therapeutic qualities due to its copper content.
It is gently uplifting, mildly stimulating to the solar plexus chakra, helping to reduce stomach tension & protect the centre of the body.
It is believed to be helpful in securing love, protection, & wealth.
It attracts positive energies & is also used for personal enlightenment.
HEALING
Goldstone can be used to aid tissue regeneration, improve blood circulation & metabolism, strengthen the nervous system and heal infections.
Because of its copper content, it has been used to decrease the pain of arthritis and rheumatism. It also purifies and energizes.
Colour variations: BLUE
All content by Mrs M's Gems / Mrs M's Herbals-copyright 2006