Garnet: More Than a Red Gemstone | Gem Pursuit | Episode 129

About this episode

Garnet can be deep red, purple-red, bright orange or green. Matthew Weldon and Fenia Sigkoudi explore the mineral group behind these different stones and its place in antique jewellery. From ancient carved gems to Victorian necklaces and Fabergé’s Winter Egg, they look at how garnets have been used, why demantoid attracts collectors, and what colour, cut and size can tell you about a stone. Gem Trivial Pursuit closes the episode with questions linked by pomegranates. CHAPTERS 00:00 A closer look at garnet 01:52 What is garnet? 06:03 Garnet names and varieties 09:47 Where garnets are found 12:53 History and lore 22:04 Famous pieces and the Winter Egg 29:20 Looking inside demantoid 32:45 Value and what to look for 39:11 Gem Trivial Pursuit FURTHER READING GIA’s garnet guide: https://www.gia.edu/garnet-description GIA’s buyer’s guide: https://www.gia.edu/garnet/buyers-guide Fabergé’s Winter Egg: https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6559093 COURTVILLE & GEM PURSUIT https://www.courtville.ie https://gempursuit.com Instagram: @gempursuitpod | @courtvilleantiques TikTok: @matthew.weldon Email: info@gempursuit.com Hosts: Matthew Weldon and Fenia Sigkoudi Research: Veronique Goguen Producer: Ross Hannon Video: Darragh Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck