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Garnets have also been set in shields, armor, and buckles by crusaders for it is
believed that it gives protection from wounds & stops bleeding. Many native
tribes from North, Central, and South America wore Garnets to ward off evil influences
and spirits.
The Hunzas used Garnet bullets to fend off the British troops during their quarrel
of 1982, believing that it was stronger and more deadly then lead.
Garnet is said to be the stone of romantic love and passion, enhancing sensuality,
sexuality, and intimacy. It is said to awaken creativity, positive energy, and self-confidence,
and can bring success to one's career or business. Garnets have been thought to
treat infectious diseases, blood poisoning, and heart and lung diseases. It is also
a protective stone which is effective for protection from evil and nightmares and
one that can be used for spiritual healing. Whilst Garnet is primarily associated
with the root chakra, it is also effective at opening other chakras, depending upon
the color of the stone in question.
Availability:
Though the Malaya Garnets are today moderately priced, their increasing popularity
and continued lack of production could spell an upward pressure on prices. Stones
over three carats in size are incredibly rare and are naturally very expensive.
Sources:
Malaya Garnets were discovered in the mid 1960's in the Umba River valley bordering
Tanzania and Kenya, and today this region is still the primary source for this beautiful
gemstone. There are also smaller deposits found throughout Eastern and Central Africa.
Evaluation:
Malaya Garnet is rated at 7 - 7.5 on the Moh's Scale of Hardness, making it durable and resistant to everyday wear and tear. Malaya Garnets can be found in a wide array
of colors including a yellowish-brown, brownish-pink, cinnamon, honey brown, reddish
brown, peach, and pinkish-orange. The rarest and most beautiful Malaya colors are
a honey-peach, cinnamon, and the pinkish-orange. Malaya Garnets will also exhibit
scintillating red flashes that give the stone a brilliance that is almost incomparable
to other Garnet varieties.
The most desirable and sought-after stones are those that display a well-balanced
bright peach or pinkish-orange color. Clarity and carat weight
are both important
factors when evaluating Malaya Garnet, and lastly, it is very important to consider
well-cut stones as this will ensure that the maximum amount of brilliance is displayed
by the gem.
Common Cuts:
Malaya Garnets are usually cut into the shape / cut that will show the least amount
of color darkness. The shapes most effective for doing this are Cabochons, Cushion, Oval and Round.
Routine Enhancements:
There are no known treatments for Malaya Garnets.
Care & Cleaning:
A Garnet can be cleaned
using warm,
soapy water and a soft brush. An ultrasonic
cleaner is safe for most Garnets but not for all, so should be used with caution.
Garnet should be kept away from chemicals that will cause it to erode such as hydrofluoric
acid. Garnet should also be kept away from drastic temperature changes as this may cause fracturing.
Always keep your Malaya Garnet jewelry in a fabric-lined box, away from other jewelry,
in order to avoid any damage / scratching.
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