Is the garnet a precious or semiprecious stone? Ornaments with pomegranate

A beautiful bright stone with a deep and rich burgundy-red color attracted human attention even 3 thousand years ago. Today, the pomegranate has not lost its popularity and is still common in jewelry. If you want to buy an ornament with this stone, it will be useful for you to know whether garnet is a precious or semiprecious stone, and what are its main properties.

Peculiarities of gem

Red and maroon bright and shiny pebbles reminded people of the grain of a pomegranate, called in ancient times Phoenician apple. From the similarity with the fruit, the name of this mineral also occurred - originally in Latin it sounded like "granatatus", that is "similar to grains". It is believed that it was put into use by the alchemist Albert Magnus at the end of the 13th century.

Today, this name is understood as a whole group of minerals. In a narrow sense, these are their two varieties - transparent red almandines and dark red pyropes. However, in a broader sense, garnets are also considered related minerals - pink and scarlet spessartines, violet rhodolites, brown andradites and even green grossulars. Scientists believe that not all of them represent the same value, but if we talk about red stones used in jewelry, there is no doubt about the question of whether a garnet is a precious or semiprecious stone. Undoubtedly, it is referred to the first variety.

Properties

In addition to color, garnet species also have other differences. So, most of them let in the sunlight. But there are some that do not shine through, for example, melanite, which has a dark, almost black color. The shine of a pomegranate is always clean, glassy, and in some species even diamond.

The pomegranate is not a rare stone, it is mined all over the world, but there are not so many worthwhile samples with high cost. In Russia, grenades are mined in Chukotka and Yakutia. And in the Urals there are deposits of an unusual green garnet, called the Urals.

Pomegranate in history and culture

Grenades are known to mankind for more than 3 thousand years. Ancient people cut out images of animals and people on the surface of unprocessed minerals, later - portraits. Surely you've heard the word "carbuncle" once. So from the Latin "coal" garnet named Pliny the Elder for his similarity with smoldering coal.

Many people considered the stone described as endowed with powerful power. Crusaders wore a ring with a grenade to protect themselves from injuries in battle. Persians, he symbolized power, and in the East - perseverance and good health. At the same time, the garnet begins to be attributed to the healing properties, for example, its powder is mixed with water and drunk to treat stomach diseases and give vivacity.

In Russia, the mineral appeared in the 16th century. "Venus" and "beats" - the so-called garnet stone. Its price was then not too great and significantly inferior to ruby or spinel. However, the stone was used in folk medicine. For example, it was believed that he helps a woman in childbirth.

In the following centuries, garnet is becoming more and more valuable and due to its deep red color it is full of various symbolism. So, the scientist Boethius de Boot in his works calls the stone a hardened drop of clean water, colored with pairs of scarlet blood.

Garnet was especially popular in the era of Romanticism. Jewelers of the time created from these gems truly works of art, many of which have become museum values. For example, a pendant with a pomegranate, presented by the Czech composer Smetana to his wife, which is stored in the Prague Museum in his name. Or a magnificent set of 6 items decorated with grenades, which Goethe gave to his young lover Ulrike.

Who is suitable

It is believed that pomegranate is a stone of will, strong character, purposefulness and passion, and it suits people with the same temper. Therefore, very often this stone is a companion of creative figures - artists, musicians, poets, artists. They help him to give himself to the work with all the passion and soul. But it is better not to wear ornaments with a pomegranate without initiative and lazy people, since it is believed that he will only emotionally exhaust such a person and lead him to a nervous breakdown.

Also this gem - a symbol of passionate and devoted love, and perfectly suits as a gift to a beloved woman. Ladies garnet adds wisdom and tranquility. But a mineral, given to a man, can awaken in him serious passions and ignite the fire of love, sometimes even against his will. At least, such properties are attributed to this magic stone.

There are certain indications as to which sign of the zodiac is a garnet. First of all, this is Capricorn, who always goes to his goal, and the fire signs of Leo and Sagittarius. But Aries, he does not fit, because he is quick-tempered, but quickly calms down, and the grenade needs a constant heat of passion.

Libra and Aquarius better to wear only green grenades, but Pisces and Cancers are recommended to abstain from wearing this stone.

Where to use garnet

A precious or semi precious stone is not so important today. All varieties of pomegranate are extremely in demand in the modern world. It is widely used in industry, construction, electronics and other areas. In general, industrial use of pomegranate is possible due to the fact that it splits into small pieces with sharp cutting edges. This crumb is glued to a linen or paper base and gets strong abrasives. In construction, it is added to cement, and in the instrument making industry it is sometimes replaced with garnet sapphires and rubies.

Natural samples often go to the production of figurines, figurines and, of course, jewelry.

Decoration

So, we decided, a garnet - a precious or semiprecious stone, and learned that most of its species are of the first kind.

The most popular is a translucent almandine, painted in dark cherry or reddish-brown color. Jewelry from this garnet produces most popular jewelry brands, such as Sokolov, Sunlight, "Adamas." You can buy any items - a ring with a pomegranate, earrings, brooches, pendants, bracelets, necklaces. These gems are framed by gold of all shades and silver. Diamonds, amethysts, chrysolites, as well as marcasite and cubic zirconia, are supplemented with garnet stone in such ornaments. The price for them is not very high - the simplest silver ring can cost about 1000 rubles. How much is the stone itself, it is difficult to say unequivocally. At its estimation the color, a kind, quality and a way of processing is taken into account.