Garnet's role in history, culture and religion.
This section of JewelrySupplier.com is intended to uncover references in history to gems, gemstones, minerals, crystals, precious metals and semi-precious stones and to investigate the role they played in the development of the cultures in which they were utilized. We believe examples of royal jewelry and ancient jewelry from anthropology, sociology and archaeology from the ancient societies of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome and especially the work of Pre-Columbian American cultures of the North American Indians, Aztecs, Mayans, and Incans to be of craftsmanship that has not been equaled since. Where possible in our history of jewelry, we’ve tried to include methods of manufacture, materials and technology. From the bible, commerce, celestial beliefs to modern crystal collecting.
The documented use of garnet and reported findings of garnet jewelry have been evidence of the wide-spread availability and importance of this semiprecious jewel throughout history. Some of these findings of garnet use do not solely pertain to jewelry and healing crystals. In fact, in India during a rebellion on the Kashmir territory, tribal soldiers fired at the British army with garnet bullets. The effect of this type of ammunition was thought to be more fatal and more efficient for battle. In even earlier writings garnet had been mistaken for rubies and were said to fend off evil spirits. It is also noted that Crusaders adorned garnets as protection in battle and a symbol of safe return to their loved ones. Garnet has also been noted to adorn the belongings of powerful royalty. Some of these include the wives of the Russian Czars, Queen Victoria of Great Britain and Mary Queen of Scots.
Garnet
and Ancient History
Garnet jewelry has been found that date back to the Bronze Age (~3000
BC). The majority of this ancient jewelry was a very primitive style of
lapidary found among the graves of a village of lake dwellers. Other
documentation of ancient jewelry containing garnet have been found among
remains located in Sweden between 1100 and 2000 B.C., in Samaria around
2300 B.C. and in Egypt in 3100 B.C.
Garnet
and Greek History
As early as the later years of 400 B.C., garnet jewelry was found in
Greece. More specifically, signet rings found (in this area of Europe)
were discovered. It is believed that Greeks were the first to use garnet
at this capacity. Garnet has also been documented as a largely admired
treasure in Greece during the 3rd and 4th centuries. The other history
that Greece holds with garnet is it's role in providing the root
nomenclature for the garnet family of stones.
Garnet
and Egyptian History
As mentioned above, garnet had been found as early as 3100 B.C. in
Egypt. It has further been noted that early Egypt popularly adorned garnet
in amulets and talismans. Garnet was also believed to buried within the
tombs of the dead for protection and light through the passage of after
death experience.
Garnet
in Biblical History
It is believed that in n the Old Testament when Noah set forth in the
Ark he utilized garnet to light his path and to illuminate the Ark. The
garnet is also one of the twelve stones, that represent today's
birthstones, that adorn the breastplate of the high priest Aaron (Exodus
39). The original breastplate of the High Priest was said to be made by
Moses in mid 1200 (B.C.) according to divinely inspired instructions he
received during forty days in the wilderness. Around the middle and late
1300 (B.C.) twelve stones had been chosen to be representative of the
twelve tribes of Israel. (Exodus 28: 17-21) Among these stones garnet was
chosen as the gem representing the tribe of Judah one of the sons of
Jacob. These two biblical references became part of the first association
of a particular semi-precious gem with a particular month. Garnet is also
believed to have been worn by King Solomon in times of battle.
Garnet,
the Middle Ages and Medieval History
Garnet is believed to have served many medicinal purposes some of
which were recorded throughout Medieval History. Documents dating from
this time period state that garnets had been believed to protect one from
poisons. Other sicknesses were believed to be cured by garnet including
those dealing with blood and infection. Many curing huts of the Middle
Ages were believed to carry garnets. Often mistaken for rubies, garnet was
found among corpses found to date back to the Middle Ages.
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