In this article, I’ll explain spessartite’s meaning, uses, and benefits. I will also include fascinating stories and lore about this stone. Moreover, you can also find here other relevant info, such as the best crystals you can pair it with, its associated chakras, and the proper ways to cleanse it. Let’s begin.
Spessartite Meaning
Spessartite is a magnesium aluminum silicate. Belonging to the garnet family, it can be distinguished from other varieties by its fiery red-orange color, hence why it’s famously called the “Garnet of the Sun.”
Actually, naturally-occurring spessartine garnets can vary in color, from gold yellow to vibrant hues of orange and even to dark shades of red. The red coloration is mostly due to the presence of iron in the mineral.
Together with almandine and pyrope, they make one of the two solid solution series in the garnet family. The more almandine content it has, the redder it is. Sometimes, the hues can even appear brown or black-red in color.
On the other hand, if spessartine is more prevalent in the mineral, it will be lighter orange in color. More on this in the types section later on.
Where is spessartine found?
Spessartine garnet can be found in many countries in the world, particularly in countries such as Namibia, Tanzania, Madagascar, Brazil, and Nigeria. It was named after the Spessart Mountains, a wooded mountainous region in Bavaria, Germany, where some of the first few specimens of this particular garnet variety were found and described.
Are spessartite garnets rare?
For many years, spessartine garnet is quite a rare commodity. However, during the past few decades, new deposits were found all over the world, most notably in the African and South American continents.
Is spessartite garnet expensive?
Although gem-quality spessartite is still relatively rare, the mineral is readily available and can be purchased easily. Because of this, spessartite entered the mainstream gem scene, and its awe-inspiring beauty makes it popular among many. Spessartites can also be quite expensive, owing to their stunning appearance and demand.
Like other garnets, spessartite blends in with other mineral species and stones. One of the most beautiful combinations is spessartite in quartz, such as smoky quartz, but occurrences like this are quite rare.
A unique feature of spessartite is that it can’t be enhanced, meaning that jewelry or cabochon made from this mineral is most likely natural. However, do note that there might still be imitations of spessartite made from colored glass or synthetic garnets that disreputable dealers pass off as natural spessartine garnets.
When buying one, ensure that you are dealing with genuine spessartites because authenticity can make all the difference.
What is the difference between spessartine and spessartite?
A lot of crystal, gemstone, and mineral manuals you see may have referred to spessartine garnet and spessartite as the same thing. However, from a strict geological standpoint, spessartite actually refers to something else. Spessartite is an igneous type of rock that was also found in Spessart, Bavaria, Germany; hence, the name. It’s also referred to as spessartite-rock to differentiate it from spessartine garnet.
Despite that, the words spessartite and spessartine garnet are used synonymously by many people. Mineral.net noted that spessartite is mostly used in the gem trade, whereas spessartine is commonly heard from mineral traders to distinguish it from the actual spessartite-rock.
Spessartine Garnet: Lore, Myths, and Legends
Perhaps since its discovery, humans have been fascinated by garnet and have been using it for centuries. There are pieces of evidence and historical accounts of garnet being widely used, from Europe to Asia, and perhaps in other parts of the world as well.
Garnets are believed to possess incredible magical powers that can protect, heal, and even destroy enemies. In ancient times, garnets were used in warrior armors and priests’ clothing, not only as an ornament but as a talisman designed to ward off bad luck, diseases, poison, danger, and even evil spirits. Of course, it was also a popular jewelry choice because of its exquisite and sophisticated appearance.
Dipping a garnet into wine was also believed to protect one from being poisoned. Some also say that garnets change color whenever malicious spirits or people are nearby, alerting their owner of the incoming danger.
Garnets also play a prominent role in some mythologies and beliefs around the world. For example, its name was taken from the Latin word “granatus”, meaning seed, and in reference to the pomegranate fruit. Anyone who’s familiar with Greek mythology knows that pomegranates are strongly associated with the goddess Persephone, and the mineral’s reddish hues reflect that. Persephone, in turn, is closely related to the cyclical nature of time, spring, rebirth, growth, and vegetation, all of which somehow represents the qualities and abilities of garnets.
The Old Testament also mentions garnet stones several times. Before the Industrial Revolution, garnets are more commonly referred to as carbuncle gemstone, though now it mostly refers to the almandine subtype only. However, with spessartine’s close connection to almandine, one can assume that the carbuncles the medieval and ancient folks used in those times may have also contained spessartine garnet. In one lore, for instance, it was believed that Noah used carbuncle as a glowing stone for the ark.
Meanwhile, garnets are used quite differently on the other side of the world. In some cultures in Asia, sling bullets made from garnets are believed to be more lethal. There were also those who used garnet for wounds, to stop the bleeding, and to support blood clotting. Though, we don’t recommend anyone to do this since more effective methods of healing wounds are readily available in our time anyway.
In the modern era, garnet is also commonly used as an abrasive.
Up to this day, garnet continues to be popular around the world. Spessartine, with its prepossessing deep sunset to wine-like colors, is among the main varieties in the garnet family.
Spessartine garnets aren’t only revered for their impeccable beauty, but for their mystical and healing properties, which I will all explain below.
Meaning of Spessartine Garnet
Spessartine garnet is a stone of positive emotions and creativity.
It helps one deal with the difficult matters of the heart and brings tranquility to mind troubled by the chaos of the outside forces. It encourages a rational state of mind, emotional strength, and focus, so we may be able to see things clearly, and thus make the right decisions. It can also amplify joy, enthusiasm, and a sense of gratitude.
It’s also a stimulating stone, so if you ever feel like you are in a rut or not in a good place mentally, having a spessartine garnet might help.
Furthermore, spessartine garnet is a highly recommended stone for any type of creative person. Whether you’re a writer, visual artist, musician, performer, or whatnot, spessartine is perhaps one of the best stones you can use. It’s believed to bring inspiration and motivation to all kinds of artists, as it strongly resonates with the Sacral Chakra, which is the creative center of the body.
Spessartite Uses and Benefits
Spessartite garnet is highly versatile and can be used in a lot of ways. To reap the benefits of these healing crystals, you can use them in the following manner:
- Jewelry (necklace, ring, earring, bracelet, etc.)
- Talisman (you can carry it in your pocket or wear it around your neck)
- Crystal Grids
- Meditation stone
- Home, office, or room ornament
The vibrations from this stone are intense, and thus you may expect its positive energies to reach you. It motivates, protects, heals, uplifts, encourages, stimulates, and soothes our overall being.
Crystal Health Disclaimer
While crystals have been used throughout time to heal medical and emotional ailments, the information in this blog is not to be taken as medical advice. Additionally, you should always follow the advice of medical professionals per their diagnoses. Crystal healing should only be seen as supplemental.
Spessartite Physical Benefits
Always prioritize your medical professional’s advice when using alternative healing such as spessartine crystals. Crystals should only act as a supplement and not the primary solution. If you are experiencing worrying medical and health conditions, it’s best to consult a doctor before trying out alternative medicines.
That being said, many people have experienced the benefits of meditating or wearing spessartine garnet. Here are some of the reasons:
Spessartite Emotional Benefits
Spessartine garnet is not only a very beneficial stone to the physical body but also to one’s mental health as well. It’s believed to encourage deep healing, especially for people who are struggling with intense, negative emotions to the point that it’s starting to affect their lives. Here is a list of its benefits:
Spessartite Metaphysical Properties
Even though spessartite is mainly a healing and protective stone, it also has metaphysical advantages. Some of them are the following:
Spessartite Meditation and Grounding
One of the best things about spessartite is that it can be used in any way you want. It can be worn safely, used in crystal grids, or carried around you all day.
Some have claimed to use garnets in general for their elixirs. However, spessartites contain aluminum which might be harmful. If you’re still keen on putting spessartine in drinkable elixirs, though, make sure that the crystal won’t disintegrate in the water. Fortunately, garnet is considerably tough, so the likelihood of it getting dissolved in water is very slim. So, unless it’s cracked, to begin with, then putting it in water isn’t much of a problem. The safest route would be either putting your spessartite for a short period or maybe encase it in a safe container before dropping it in the bottle.
You can wear the stone or hold it close to you for meditation. You may also put it in crystal grids. Make sure to do your meditation in a quiet place in your home. There, sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Ask permission from the crystal that you will borrow its energy.
During meditation, focus on the spessartite crystal. Visualize the energy emitting from the stone as it emanates throughout the room and envelops your whole being.
Stay in this position for as long as you like.
Spessartite Chakras
Spessartite strongly resonates with the lower three chakras, all our body’s energy centers. These are namely the root, sacral, and solar plexus chakras. With these three chakras activated, our creativity and confidence are boosted.
This is the main reason spessartite is great artists because it helps them in many ways. It aids them in finding inspiration and motivation, gives them the energy to work on their projects, and makes them see their worth as a creative individual. It helps them believe in their abilities and talents. It’s an encouraging and energetic stone that also brings emotional clarity. It will transmute negative energies into positive ones.
However, this stone isn’t only applicable to artists, writers, and musicians. Spessartite is also a fantastic choice if you’re working on a project or task involving creativity and the like.
Below are the three chakras which spessartine is mainly associated with:
Types of Spessartite
Depending on its color, spessartite can emit various energies and thus have different effects. Golden yellow or dark gold spessartites symbolize success, confidence, and enthusiasm. Orange garnet helps strengthen relationships and bring joy. Scarlet crystals boost energy, vitality, and sex drive. Lastly, dark red garnets to brown ones promotes passion, enhance awareness, and bring deeper wisdom.
Spessartite has a number of known varieties. Some of them are the following:
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Malaia Garnet
Malaia Garnet is a reddish-orange spessartite usually found in Tanzania and Kenya. Red-orange stones represent passion, courage, and energy. Malaya garnet can also occur as orange, pink, or deep red in color.
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Mandarin Garnet
Mandarin Garnet, on the other hand, is yellow-orange to orange-red spessartine garnet usually found in Namibia and Mozambique. Named because its color resembles that of mandarin oranges, it’s associated with creativity and energy.
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Namibian Spessartite
Namibian Spessartine garnet is bright orange in color. It symbolizes friendship, relationship, and companionship. It’s also associated with emotion and affection.
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Tangerine Garnet
Tangerine Garnet has a yellow-orange to light-orange hue. It’s believed to bring positivity and joy.
Spessartite Crystal Combinations
Spessartite can be paired with other crystals to enhance its abilities. It’s especially great to combine with crystals that are also known to boost creativity, vitality, and confidence. Here are some of them:
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Tangerine Quartz boosts creativity and imagination. It’s also said to help with pleasure, sex drive, and fertility.
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Larimar is a soothing and calming stone. Moreover, it’s also said to help with creativity and self-confidence.
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Picasso Stone aids in calming one’s mind and emotions. It’s also a grounding stone that can help you with meditation. Furthermore, as you would have probably guessed from its name, Picasso stone also helps with creativity.
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Azurite is a healing stone that can help remove obstructions of any kind. If you are currently experiencing an artistic block, azurite can take those out for you to ensure that your creative energies flow freely.
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Citrine is a vibrant stone that brings energy, warmth, and joy. It’s also said to help boost creativity and is even used as a protective crystal.
Charging and Cleansing
Like most crystals and gemstones, it’s important for spessartite to be cleansed on a regular basis. It’s all the more necessary for spessartine because it absorbs negative energy constantly.
Fortunately, cleansing it is not that difficult, as it’s stable enough to common purifying methods for crystals. Just make sure never to mix it with harsh chemicals and highly abrasive materials to prevent it from getting damaged.
Here are some methods I would recommend to cleanse your spessartine:
Conclusion
Spessartine garnets are not only known for their stunning appearance but also for their many healing, protective and metaphysical properties. It’s one of the best stones you can use to boost creative energy and vitality. With the help of this stone, you may become more open to new experiences and ideas. With confidence, energy, and limitless creativity, spessartine can become your fantastic ally as you explore and discover the world in all its beauty.
