Almandine garnet stone – properties, virtues & benefits
Almandine Garnet Stone is a captivating gem with deep reddish hues, a symbol of energy and passion. Discover its properties and how it brings emotional balance and creativity.
ALMANDIN GRENAT CHARACTERISTICS
- Chakra: Root.
- Properties: Balance, creativity, protection.
- Astrology: /
- Zodiac: ScorPio, Aries.
- Elements: Fire, Earth.
- Colors: Red, dark red.
- Hardness: 7-7.5 (Mohs scale).
- Chemical Formula: Fe3Al2(SiO4)3.
- Associated god: Thor.
GRENAT ALMANDIN – HIS HISTORY
Since ancient times, a stone has been known as Almandin, although it has often been confused with other red minerals called “petit charbon”. Its name derives from the city of Alabandes in Asia Minor, where a large center cut and traded almandine gems. The town’s name eventually evolved into “carbunculus alabandicus”, i.e. Almandin.
Although Pliny the Elder first mentioned this mineral species in 77 AD, the description made in 1546 by Georgius Agricola is the one retained. Several centuries later, the kingdom of Pegu (now Myanmar) exported large quantities of garnet from India. Louis XIV then set up a factory on the port of Syriam to cut and sell gems, giving rise to the name “Almandin de Syriam”.
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ALMANDIN GRENAT STONE – ITS ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION
Almandine is a mineral species belonging to the nesosilicates, containing mainly aluminum and iron, with traces of calcium, magnesium, titanium and manganese. It belongs to a series with pyrope and spessartine, all of which can be cut into fine stones. Its density varies between 1.77 and 1.83, or between 4 and 4.3 depending on its iron content. Although it exhibits low birefringence, it is theoretically isotroPic and resistant to scratching.
Almandine is the most common garnet and is found mainly in metamorphic and granulitic rocks, sometimes in the company of tourmaline near potassic pegmatites and volcanic rocks. Ores for jewelry often come from Sri Lanka, India, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Brazil, Vietnam or Zambia. Sometimes, the mineral is trapped in a zircon and must “explode” to be released, resulting in rutile wing or needle shapes. This phenomenon often affects India minerals.
ALMANDIN GRENAT STONE – VERTIES AND PROPERTIES
ALMANDAN GRENAT ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL LEVEL
Almandine stone enables its wearer to focus on the essential, making him forget superfluous details and allowing him to concentrate on the things that are important to him. It can be useful during meditation to aid concentration. This stone also symbolizes prosperity and fidelity.
ALMANDAN GRENAT PHYSICALLY
TheraPists often use almandine stone as a painkiller to relieve menstruation, injuries and contractions. It improves blood circulation and purifies the bloodstream, while soothing pain associated with gallstones. This stone is particularly associated with the lumbar chakra, stimulating libido and improving female fertility, but it is recommended not to abuse it.
Almandine has a high iron content, making it an excellent choice for people with blood disorders. It helps stabilize plasma and hemoglobin, bringing dynamism and energy to its wearer. This stone is associated with the solar plexus chakra, giving courage and strength to overcome limits and engage in physical activities.
USE OF GRENAT STONE
ALMANDIN IN ORNAMENTATION
Almandines are often used for decorative purposes and can be seen in various museums such as the Galerie d’Apollon at the Louvre and the Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle. According to some historians, Louis XIV wore pairs of salt shakers cut from this stone in the 17th century. It’s also interesting to note that the lamellar discs on the Chosroes cup on display in the Cabinet des Médailles are engraved in almandine.
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ALMANDIN IN CABOCHON
Almandine stones too dark to be appreciated by the human eye were often cut in cabochon, where the aim was to dig into the ore to prevent light from shining through. This technique is still used today to create similar cabochons. Minerals with brighter colors are usually faceted to bring out their brilliance. Minerals of poor quality or irregular size are polished in a barrel to create jewelry available at an affordable price.
ALMANDIN EN BIJOUX
The PerPignan region has specialized in creating jewelry from garnets, almandines and pyropes. Since the 17th century, these minerals have often been used as a raw material to improve the mixture between glass and garnet, making it possible to imitate precious stones such as sapphire or ruby. The more needles the raw material contains, the more successful the illusion. An example of such a 174-carat star mineral is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.
ALMANDIN GRENAT STONE – CLEAN AND RECHARGE
To effectively clean and recharge Grenat Almandin stone, follow these steps:
- Cleaning: Place your stone in a bowl or dish containing distilled or demineralized water for a few hours, ideally overnight. You can add a few drops of ammonia to eliminate negative energies.
- Rinsing: After cleaning, gently rinse the stone under running water to remove any residue.
- Drying: Gently wipe the stone with a clean, dry cloth to dry.
- Recharging: To recharge the Almandine Garnet stone, place it in sunlight for a few hours, or under the light of a full moon for softer energy. You can also recharge it by placing it on an amethyst or rock crystal geode.
- Use: Once cleaned and recharged, the stone is ready to be used for your rituals, energy treatments or simply to enjoy its beneficial properties.
WHERE DOES THE NAME GRENAT ALMANDIN COME FROM?
The name “almandine garnet” comes from two different sources. The term “garnet” is derived from the Latin word “granatus”, meaning “grain” or “seed”, due to the resemblance between garnet crystals and pomegranate seeds. The word “almandine” or “almandite” comes from the name of the town of Alabanda, in Asia Minor (now in Turkey), where this stone was once cut and used to make jewelry and objets d’art. Thus, the name “almandine garnet” refers to the color, shape and origin of this gem.
WHICH CHAKRA DOES ALMANDAN GRENAT ACT ON?
Almandine garnet acts primarily on the root chakra, also known as Muladhara. This chakra is located at the base of the sPine and is associated with the color red, which also corresponds to the color of the almandine garnet stone. The root chakra is linked to stability, security, rootedness and connection with the Earth. By working on this chakra, almandine garnet helps strengthen emotional balance, self-confidence and physical vitality.
WHICH ASTROLOGICAL SIGN IS ASSOCIATED WITH ALMANDRA GRENAT?
Almandine garnet is particularly associated with the astrological signs of ScorPio and Aries. These two signs share the Fire element, which is linked to passion, energy and inner strength. Almandine garnet, with its properties of emotional balance, creativity and protection, can benefit people born under these signs, helPing them to channel and harmonize their powerful energies.
ALMANDIN GRENAT STONE SUMMARY
Almandine garnet stone is a variety of garnet prized for its deep red to reddish-purple hues. It is commonly used in jewelry and has a long history dating back to antiquity. Here’s a summary of this gemstone’s main characteristics and history.
- Chemical composition: almandine garnet stone is a silicate of aluminum and iron, with the chemical formula Fe3Al2(SiO4)3.
- Color: Almandine garnets are best known for their dark red to reddish-purple color. Color variations depend on the concentration of iron and chromium in the stone.
- Hardness: On the Mohs scale, the hardness of almandine garnet stone lies between 7 and 7.5. This makes it a strong enough stone to be used in jewelry design.
- Provenance: Almandine garnet deposits are found mainly in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, East Africa, the United States and Brazil.
- History: Almandine garnet stone has been used since ancient times to create jewelry and decorative objects. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans particularly appreciated this stone for its beauty and symbolism.
- Symbolism: Almandine garnet is often associated with love, passion and energy. It is also considered a stone of protection, promoting self-confidence and success.
- Jewellery use: Thanks to its hardness and beauty, almandine garnet is commonly used in the creation of jewelry, such as rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets.
- Care: To preserve the brilliance and beauty of almandine garnet stone, regular cleaning with lukewarm water and mild soap is recommended. It’s best to avoid prolonged exposure to heat and harsh chemicals.
To sum up, almandine garnet stone is a deep-red gemstone highly prized for its beauty and strength. Used since ancient times, it is still a popular choice for jewelry and decorative objects today.
