Garnet Meanings and Uses

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Garnet Metaphysical properties



Garnet usesIntroduction to the Meaning and Uses of Garnet

Garnet is found the world over, and though commonly known to be red, it is in fact found in a variety of colors and chemical formulas, each with its own set of spiritual properties. [Simmons, 165] Legends and folklore place garnet among the most ancient of talismans. Not only was it prized as an ornamental jewel, but its strong curative powers and protective energies made it invaluable.

Garnet is also known for its utilization of creative energy. It grounds spirit forces within the body and helps in the ability to work lovingly on the physical plane. [Raphell, 156, 162] [Simmons, 166] Yet Garnet is a sensual stone. It represents primordial fire, the creation of the world out of chaos, purification and love. It is a stone of strong, intense feelings. [Megemont, 87]


Garnets were used in the former Czechoslovakia as far back as the Bronze Age, and in Egypt more than five thousand years ago. They were used in Sumeria around 2100 B.C. and in Sweden between 1000 and 2000 B.C. They were also popular in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. According to the Talmud, the only light on Noah's ark was provided by a large Garnet. In Europe during the Middle Ages, Garnet was used to enhance truth, faith and constancy, and to dispel melancholy. [Simmons, 165-166] As a Warrior's Stone, Garnet served as a talisman in the Crusades for both the Christians and their Muslim enemies. [Megemont, 87]



Today, Garnet is not only worn ornamentally as a beautiful gem, but is used widely in industrial markets, from watch gears and scientific instruments to sandpaper and abrasives. [Mella, 85]

Types of Garnet

Garnet is a powerful energizing and regenerative stone. It balances, strengthens and protects. While it is one of the most plentiful stones, it has several forms according to its mineral base, and in addition to all the healing and spiritual properties listed in this article, each type has additional properties listed on its specific page, along with its color energies, angels, and Feng Shui uses.

almandine garnetAlmandine Garnet unites the energy of scarlet and red with the more muted, earthy overtones of brown. It is intimately tied to the Earth, and is a talisman of protection and unyielding strength, increasing willpower and resistance to all things negative. It aids circulation and all blood related issues. Associated with the First Chakra, it is a stone of physical love and relationships, and a spiritual stone of psychic protection.


andradite garnetAndradite Garnet is well-grounded in Earth's elemental colors of green or olive, dark yellow, and black. A spiritual stone of higher thinking and self-empowerment, it is also a stone of strength and safety. Associated with the Base, Heart and Solar Plexus Chakras, it dissolves feelings of isolation or alienation and attracts intimate encounters with others.


grossularGrossular Garnet exemplifies hope, empowerment, and all things nurturing from Mother Earth. It ranges in sunrise colors of yellow, gold, orange, scarlet and red, and the more popular shades of lush green. It is a stone of prosperity and abundance, encouraging gratitude and service to others. Associated with the Base, Sacral, Solar Plexus and Heart Chakras, Grossular Garnet is a deeply spiritual stone.


pyrope garnetPyrope Garnet is a mesmerizing stone, described as "living fire." Its crystals range in color from rose red to deep crimson, including shades of scarlet, violet, and even indigo. It is a stone of inspiration, bestowing vitality and charisma, and assists in owning one's gifts and abilities, and sharing them with others. It aligns the Base and Crown Chakras, and stimulates warmth and gentleness, unifying creative forces of the self.


SpessartineSpessartine Garnet is one of the rarer varieties, known as the Garnet of the Sun. Its energy radiates in shades of dark gold, orange, scarlet and deep red. Crystals can be pale yellow if nearly pure, but are almost always mixed with Almandine Garnet. Spessartine activates the analytical processes of the mind, alleviating fears and providing confidence to change one's life. It is associated with the Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakras, awakening creative energies and lending power to one's will.

uvaroviteUvarovite Garnet is emerald green in color, the only consistently green Garnet. It forms in small, uniform crystals and is rare, most often found in its drusy form, a natural surface coating of tiny sparkling crystals covering a rock, sometimes made into beautiful jewelry. It promotes prosperity and wealth, and assists one in learning to joyfully accept what is offered by the Universe. It stimulates the Heart Chakra and enhances spiritual relationships. This is a calm and peaceful stone.


garnet summaryGarnet Introduction

This article describes the physical and emotional healing attributes of Garnet as a Stone of Health, extracting negative energy from the chakras, and transmuting the energy to a beneficial state. [Melody, 290]




The legends of Garnet are vast and colorful.




healing crystals

Garnet Therapies - Overview


Garnet are stones often used to deal with bad dreams, and depressed states of mind.

healing power of crystalsGarnet Physical Healing Energy

Garnet is thought to have medicinal abilities to reduce body toxins. At times stones were placed in wounds to help heal by encouraging the clotting of the blood. [Mella, 85]

Garnet regenerates the body, stimulating metabolism. It treats spinal and cellular disorders, purifies the blood, heart and lungs, and regenerates DNA. It assists assimilation of minerals and vitamins, including iodine, calcium, magnesium, and Vitamins A, D, and E. [Hall, 136-137] [Melody, 292]


physical healing crystal usesGarnet Emotional Healing Energy

Garnet provides a protective influence and a calming stable vitality during use. [Melody, 291] It is thought to heal emotional problems. Placed under a pillow, Garnet is reputed to alleviate bad dreams. Medicine men used it to cure mental depression. [Mella, 85]


Garnet can act as a strong help to balance the energy system, stimulate desires and uplift your attitude. As a balancer stone, Garnet can prevent fears of insecurity and even money losses. They're lucky stones: lucky for love, success, and for goals. Use Garnet to increase your positivity and popularity, thus enhancing your personal self-esteem. As an energy stone, it can encourage success in business and business relationships. It is a wonderful executive gem, especially for women. [Mella, 86] Square cut garnets are particularly useful in bringing success in business matters. [Hall, 136]



chakra balancing with crystalsGarnet Chakra Healing and Balancing Energy

Garnet cleanses and reenergizes the chakras. It revitalizes, purifies and balances energy, bringing serenity or passion as appropriate. It inspires love and devotion, balancing the sex drive and alleviating emotional disharmony. Red Garnet in particular stimulates the kundalini energy and aids sexual potency. [Hall, 136] It stimulates from both the Base and Crown chakras to provide for free flow of movement via the spinal column and the inner pathway of light, distributing the appropriate amount of energy to each portion of the body. [Melody, 291]

Garnet has a strong link with the pituitary gland and can stimulate expanded awareness and past-life recall. It activates other crystals, amplifying their effect. [Hall, 136]


divination uses of crystalsGarnet Divination

Dreams of garnet signify the solution of a mystery. [Kunz, 358]




spiritual crystalsGarnet Spiritual Energy




Goddess Crystals for AmethystGarnet Goddess Crystals


Some garnets honor other Goddesses as well. They will be mentioned on their specific pages.





There are several ways to find an appropriate birthstone. The traditional one is listed first. These are from the popular lists that most people are familiar with. Some people just use their Zodiac sign.


traditional birthstone Garnet Traditional Birthstone

Garnet is the traditional birthstone of those born in January.




zodiac usesGarnet - Zodiac Stone of Aquarius

Garnet is the zodiac stone for those born under the sign Aquarius, the mid-winter season between January 20 and February 18. Aquarians desire the truth of all things and have a gift for art and music.


talisman uses

Garnet Amulets and Talismans


As an amulet, Garnet was worn on the body for strong protection against poisons. [Mella, 85]

Garnets are Enhancer Strengthener crystals. Enhancers have internal crystal lattices of perfect cubic symmetry and internal harmony. As "building block" talismans, their internal structure of perfect crystal lattices help us focus our efforts to build on our successes and enhance our lives.

Strengtheners are crystals that are chemically formed in the island silicate class. This class of minerals forms very compact materials that are strong, resistant, and unyielding. Strengthener crystals provide you with the energy to resist temptations and resist distractions from your goals. Garnets are the best known Strengtheners and the perfect talismans to keep us on course.



Lore_and _legend of crystalsGarnet in Ancient Lore and Legend

Garnets were employed as inlaid stones in Celtic and Anglo-Saxon jewelry. [Fernie, 19] Garnets the color of fire were also called Carbuncles (from fire-coals), and the Hebrew name for the carbuncle was Bareketh (flashing stone) or Barak (lightning). It was a stone in the breastplate of the High Priest. Eastern legends assert that a carbuncle was suspended by Noah, in the Ark, to diffuse light. The Greeks called the carbuncle the Lamp Stone and it was said, if hung around the neck, to give the power of seeing in the dark. [Fernie, 158-159] [Mella, 86]

Greek mythology speaks of Garnet as a stone that can, through divine influence, heal emotional rifts between lovers. [Simmons, XXI]



Garnet is a conqueror's stone. Legend has it that a garnet ornamented Don Juan's ring. [Megemont, 88]


Some Asiatic tribes used red garnets as bullets for sling bows because they pierced their victims quickly and were well hidden when they mingled with the blood. At other times they were placed in wounds to encourage clotting of the blood. [Mella, 85] The tribes continued to use them later as bullets in firearms, assuming the blood-colored stone would inflict a more deadly wound than a leaden bullet. Such were used by the rebellious Hanzas, in 1892, during their hostilities with the British troops on the Kashmir frontier, and many of these precious missiles were preserved as curiosities. [Kunz, 33-34]


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