Quality

The stone should have a smooth surface, fewer internal inclusions and pure and uniform colour. The quality of Garnet depends upon its Cut, Colour and Clarity. For astrological purposes, it is preferred to have as tone with high clarity. The cut and shape of Garnet gemstones only has ornamental significance and not astrological. However, it is considered better to have a neatly polished and cut surface.

Substitute for Garnet and Variants of Garnet

Garnets are used extensively in Gem Healing Therapy and also as substitutes for primary gemstones. E.g., Red Garnet is used as a substitute for Ruby, while brown garnet is used as a substitute for the finer Yellow Grossular Garnet ‘Hessonite’. Garnets are found in a variety of colours and types that are slightly different in chemical compositions but have similar properties, for example –

•         Almandine Garnet – a brownish, reddish colour quality of Garnets
•         Andradite Garnet – olive, dark yellow, green or nearly black variety of Garnet
•         Grossular Garnet – This variety of Garnets are found in yellow, dark brown, golden, orange or deep green colours.
•         Uvarovite Garnet – Also commonly known as the ‘Green Garnet’, Uvarovite Garnets have dark and deep green colour.

Price

Garnet stone price per carat in India and worldwide depends upon Weight (measured in carats or ratti), Treatments and Quality (Cut, Clarity and Colour). Natural and Original Garnet price in India in rupees generally lies between Rs 150 per carat and rupees 300 per carat and above. Garnet stone cost in India is quite affordable. For the best astrological effect of Garnet, your first choice should be the Garnet stone price in India of Rs 300 per carat. Your second choice should be the category with Garnet Gemstone price of Rs 200 per carat. If your budget is restraining, you can opt for the category with the price of Garnet stones in India Rs 150 per carat. However, you should avoid the lower quality if possible since it is astrologically less effective than the better ones. For Astrological purposes, it does not make much sense to purchase Garnet with price per carat above Rs.300 as those are collector level or jewellery pieces. Garnet gemstone prices per carat can be converted into Tamara stone price per Ratti by multiplying it by 0.9 (so, Rs 10,000/ct = Rs 9,000/ratti).

Most gemstone dealers sell heated and treated Garnets, which have lesser astrological effect, thereby not making you get your money’s worth. Therefore, do ensure that you get a trusted lab certification mentioning tests for treatment.