Garnet

What it actually is

Garnet is a group of related minerals rather than one, and the red ones, almandine and rhodolite, have a high refractive index. That means they bend light strongly and return a lot of it, so a well-cut garnet has real brightness rather than just colour.

How it looks in different light

Deepens under warm light, where it can read almost wine-dark. Cool daylight brings out any purple in the stone. Small garnets read brighter than large ones, which go darker as depth increases.

Natural characteristics

Tone ranges from bright red through to a purplish rhodolite. Garnet is one of the few stones that is very rarely treated in any way.

Durability and care

Durable and fine for daily wear. Warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid sharp knocks, which can chip a facet edge.

The full care guide covers storage, cleaning and what to avoid across every stone we set.

Traditional associations

In crystal traditions Garnet is most often connected with love and strength. In Vedic astrology the stone is associated with Mangal, Mars.

Wearing Garnet

We set Garnet in the Lucent Ring. Against rhodium-finished silver it reads cool and recessive, which is the point: the metal holds the stone and gets out of the way.