Garnet is my birthstone 💓

Photo:

Gemstone: Umbalite Garnet

Weight: 2.55 cts

Color: Pink & Purple

Cut: Cushion Cut

Treatment: No Treatment (Unheated & Untreated)

Origin: Umba Valley, Tanzania

Garnet is my birthstone 💓

Garnet commonly associated with the color red. Although garnet in this photo comes in beautiful deep fiery red, this gemstone also comes in pink, green, yellow, brown and sometimes it has a mixture of two colors and components.

The red has a very close resemblance to tiny seeds of pomegranate, Garnet was named from the latin word 'granatus' meaning seed like. In Ancient Greece, the pomegranate was seen as a fruit for the gods and goddesses; a powerful symbol of eternal beauty, fertility and immortality. Like many other birthstones, garnet too was alleged to bring luck, health and prosperity. Almost all birthstones for each month having a subset of what areas of life one could expect to find "richness" in. Garnet is believed to bring richness in friendship and to enhance trustworthiness. Garnet symbolism is rich and varied. This traditional January birthstone is celebrated for its beautiful colors and durability. It also inspired many legends association with love, light, friendship and vitality.

The garnet family is one of the most complex in the gem world. It’s not a single species but rather consists of several species and varieties.

“Garnet is actually a silicate mineral that can form from an impressive array of minerals, which includes combinations of magnesium, calcium, manganese or iron along with chromium, iron or aluminum in a cubic or rhombic dodecahedral structure. Given the variety of possibilities, garnets can be red, orange, green or even (rarely) blue in color. Garnets, based on their origin, can help us measure the temperature and pressure history of the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks”.

Trevor Nace, Forbes, March 29th, 2016

The one in the photo, Umbalite Garnet is the exceptional pinkish to purplish Garnet named after where it was first mined, the Umba Valley, Tanzania. It is usually mix of pyrope, almandine, spessartine and occasionally grossular garnet. Umbalite are part of the garnet stone family which has a wide range of colors ranging from green to orange. It is also one of the most sought-after stones in the recent years. As for me, I'm still thinking the best design for this gem 😉, the one that flows over to my city from Umba Valley.