Why are garnets so many different colours?

The Colours Of Garnet

Why are garnets so many different colours? 

Garnets are a group of closely related minerals. Each garnet variety contains different trace elements within that give the variety of colour. Although most typically found in red the gemstone can also be found in a variety of other colours from orange, pink & green to brown, black and colourless.

One of the magnificent things about garnet colour is that all the various colours are formed completely naturally. 

• Spessartite 

Spessartite has manganese and aluminium that give it its orange hue, that sparkles with its high refractive index. The highest qualities are sometimes referred to as mandarin garnet that exhibit a vivid orange colour, usually coming from Namibia. 

• Almandine

Almandine includes iron and aluminium that give it its purplish-red colour. Typically a very vibrant colour that is similar to the colour of a red wine. If you are looking for a dark red garnet ring, you can shop our selection here.

• Pyrope

For pyrope the presence of chromium gives a red colour that is very similar to ruby. Rhodolite garnet is a combination of Almandine and pyrope garnet that exhibits a pinkish-purple colour. If you like the idea of a pinkish-purple garnet, you can shop our selection here. 

• Grossular

Grossular garnet has a calcium-aluminium composition that offers a yellowish-green colour. 

Tsavorite, which is a variety of grossular garnet, is also coloured by chromium and vanadium. If you are looking for a tsavorite ring, you can shop our collection here. 

Grossular garnet can also be colourless which is very rare and occurs when minimal impurities are found in the stone. Hessonite, a grossular variety, can be found in colours ranging from yellow to orange & brown. 

• Andradite 

Andradite’s yellow, green & brown colour comes from calcium and iron. The most impressive variety is demantoid with its brilliant green colour, due to its high refractive index it sparkles intensely. 

Melanite is another andradite variety that exhibits a distinctive deep black colour, sometimes with hints of yellow, brown, green or red. 

Topazolite, known for its yellow colour, sometimes a yellow-green colour is a rarer and one of the more expensive garnets on the market. 

• Uvarovite

Lastly, uvarovite gets its green colour from the presence of chromium. Rarely found in gem quality stones and usually a collectors piece rather than worn in jewellery.