In this series, we ask gem lovers: If you were to die and could come back as a gem, which one would it be, and why?
Erica Silverglide is a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) graduate gemologist and an accomplished gemstone expert. She is founder of GemologyGeek, an online and social media company offering education and high-quality gemstones, earning her recognition and respect in the industry. As a designer, and graduate of SCAD (the Savannah College of Art and Design) and GIA, her achievements are testament to her skill and passion for gemstones.
“To come back as a garnet with chromium represents being true to yourself, finding your place and embracing your ‘geek’,” she says. “While typically not a compliment, in my opinion ‘geek’ represents individuality and intelligence. When thinking about this question, I kept returning to the importance and impact of leaving behind a legacy and discovering where you ‘fit in’.”
It’s not difficult to see how the name “garnet” is derived from the medieval Latin granatus, a reference to the bright red seeds of a pomegranate. They have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives (modern nail files are created using mineral-grade garnet grit). Silverglide informs us that garnets are diverse in species and varieties, and come in a wide range of colors, with a Mohs hardness of 6.5 to 7.5, high refractive index, stunning brilliance, awesome phenomena and a valuable inclusion known as a horsetail, found in demantoid garnets.
Garnets’ beauty and their uniqueness are often underestimated, as they are magnificent vibrant gems, being one of the few gemstones that can’t be enhanced by treatment. Silverglide reminds us that the trace element chromium “known as the magical element”, is found in most species of gemstone, but not in every variety.
FUN FACT: You can celebrate your second wedding anniversary with garnet.
Main image: Erica Silverglide. (GemologyGeek)
Comments are closed.