Spotlight on | Garnet
Beauty isn’t the only thing that’s skin-deep. It’s easy to get caught up in the fads and flirtations of 21st century life and find yourself asking “Oh shit, am I that shallow?”. If any of this is resonating, it might be time to reach for the Garnet and get deep.
Garnet lore dates all the way back to biblical times and was believed to have lit and guided Noah’s ark. The guiding force is strong with this one, and fiery Garnet is still thought to encourage success, romance, loyalty and emotional balance. * Note to the producers of The Bachelor – red crystal champagne flutes are not a workable stand in for the powers of Garnet.
The History of Garnet
Garnet’s history is rich and varied. Cultures all over the world have prized this gemstone for its beautiful colours and durability for millennia. It is one of the oldest known gemstones and this fiery, deeply majestic stone has a long history and storied past.
Its name is derived from the Latin word “granatum”, meaning pomegranate (Garnets were thought to reflect their vibrant seeds), and the traditional January birthstone has inspired countless legends and popular associations with love, friendship, devotion and compassion.
In ancient Egypt, red Garnet necklaces were worn by pharaohs and were entombed with their mummified bodies as prized possessions for the afterlife. Centuries later, in Roman scholar Pliny’s time, red Garnet was widely traded and Garnet signet rings were used to stamp the wax that sealed the contracts on important documents. In the Middle Ages, red Garnets were favoured by the nobility and clergy. And Garnets have long been considered a traveler’s stone, Noah’s Ark is said to have had a Garnet lantern to help navigate the night.
Red Garnet’s availability increased with the discovery of the famous Bohemian Garnet deposits in central Europe in around 1500. This source became the seed of a regional jewellery industry that reached its peak in the late 1800s, however, Bohemian Garnets are famous even today, known for their small but beautiful stones set close to each other resembling their namesake pomegranate.
Recognising Garnet
Garnets come in a variety of colours, however the most widely known is dark red. It is transparent to translucent and has a Mohs hardness of 6.5-8.5 which makes it excellent for jewellery and decorative pieces.
What is Garnet used for?
As a root chakra stone, Garnet is said to be excellent for manifestation. Especially in relationships, creative projects and business pursuits. Garnet is known for its utilisation of creative energy. It grounds spirit forces within the body and helps in the ability to work symbiotically on the physical plane. Got a comfortable job, but dream of a true calling? Or have a steady bae, but seek a soul mate? Set your intention with Garnet, get deep, and find your life’s purpose.
When you’re feeling sluggish and disconnected from the present, Garnet helps us ground ourselves and stop the ever present need to think five steps ahead.
Garnet’s powerful crystal healing properties bring warmth to our bodily systems, which improves circulation, warms the heart and gets everything flowing in the right direction (if you know what we mean). If you’re in a relationship, use Garnet to unearth your heart’s most secret desires, while deepening your romantic love. And if you’re single and ready to mingle – Garnet is a gem (pun intended) at enhancing the laws of attraction.
Borrowing from traditional Chinese medicine, Garnet supports the flow of Chi through the body, which boosts the detox of negative emotions that manifest deep within, and this stone’s power to release bad karma helps overcome crisis and trauma and assists in diminishing and eliminating abandonment issues. Use Garnet to release old ideas and conscious or unconscious self-sabotage and allow yourself to see the world as it is – full of promise, good friends, good times and plenty of bad reality TV.
