Mohs Scale of Hardness of Garnet

Garnet gemstones have been ranked as some of the most varied groups of gemstones due to the fact that they contain various species and varieties. The garnets are extremely colorful and certain rare forms have a spectacular appearance, e.g., a star look (asterism) and a colour-change look when the light is of another quality. 

Deep, red forms of garnet have been compared to the seeds of fruit with a derivation of the word pomegranate. The January birthstone is garnet that could be celebrated in its numerous forms and offers a variety of options to gem lovers.

• Tsavorite Garnet Ring

• Tsavorite Garnet Ring

• AG Gems & Jewelry, Inc.

• Garnet Pendant

• Garnet Pendant

• Norma Wellington Designs

• Triple Green Garnet Ring

• Triple Green Garnet Ring

• Rahaminov Diamonds, Inc.

Color

Garnet varieties and species are available in a rainbow of colors, including greens, oranges, pinkish oranges, a deep saturated purplish red, and even blues. The most common ones are red garnets.

Cut

Garnets are faceted or carved in the form of cabochons or beads.

Origin

Another major source of demantoid garnet is Russia. Garnet found outside of Brazil includes Brazil, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and the United States.Tsavorite (green) garnet is named after where it is mined in Kenya around Tsavo National Park. Speargate Yellowish orange to bright orange spessartine garnet is so called because it was found in Spessart, Germany.

There is also the collector garnet produced by nature. India, the U.S. state of Idaho, and Sri Lanka contain star garnets; a rare iridescent and radiate garnet is found in Mexico, and a variety of the color-changing garnet are found in Kenya, Madagascar and Sri Lanka.

Durability

The hardness of Garnets is 6.5-7.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.

Treatments

Garnets are not commonly treated due to their natural clarity and colour. The buyer should be informed of any treatments.

Care & Cleaning

Store the individual items of fine jewelry in a soft cloth or padded container so that they will be minimally scratched and worn. Warm and bubbly water and a tightly woven microfiber or other soft cloth are the best way to clean Garnet jewelry. Avoid steam cleaning.

The Mohs Ratings and Garnets

Garnets are a set of silicate minerals which have been in use since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. These minerals are known by their rich colors, as they can go as deep in color as red and as green as bright, thus being very sought after in jewelry production. 

1. Physical and Chemical Properties

Garnets are generally characterised by an isometric crystal structure and a remarkably uniform hardness of the various types. They are tough gems, and are not easily worn out or damaged with their daily use and thus they prove to be a good option of jewelry that is worn most of the time.

2. Mohs Hardness Rating

The Mohs scale is a scratch hardness scale of minerals based on how resistant to scratching a hard material is, or how easily a softer material can be scratched, with garnets typically being rated between 6.5 and 7.5.

3. Types of Garnets and Hardness

Almandine

• 7 to 7.5.

• It is the most garnet and is normally dark red to reddish-brown. 

Pyrope

• 7 to 7.5

• Pyrope garnets are very hard with the coloration of a deep red, and are like almandine.

Spessartine

• 6.5 to 7.5

• It is of a much lighter color, being from orange to reddish-brown, and is a little softer.

Grossular

• 6.5 to 7 

• A large variety of colors between green and yellow is present in this type. 

Andradite

• 6.5 to 7

•  Demantoid, among the most valuable and brilliant green garnets have been included.

Uvarovite

• 6.5 to 7

• Uvarovite is known to be bright green in color and its hardness is similar to others of the garnet family.

4. Significance in Jewelry

Garnets are also very hard and hence useful in all types of jewelry. They may be designed into rings, necklace, earrings, or be cut into different shapes and sizes. Garnets are long lasting hence making them suitable to wear daily.

Garnets, being a set of different colors and possessing a high degree of hardness in the Mohs scale, are multipurpose gemstones, which are both beautiful and durable.