No. 2 Coach - New Embossed-Crocodile Large Garnet

Coach New Embossed Crocodile Large Garnet, as one of the latest entries in Coach Garnet collection for fall 2009, appeals an array of women's eyeballs for its incredibly elegant shape and spacious size.

garnet earrings

It inherits Coach high-end fashion and retails for a hefty 8. Reversed Coach low-priced policy in the new concept "Poppy", this crocodile large garnet splurges its luxury and exquisiteness outrageously. Extravagantly embossed crocodile, dazzling palette, and feminine pleats provoke your desire. You cannot resist its charm even it will cost your salary of one month.

GARNET

It is 17 inches in length, 10.5 inches in width, and 6 inches in height, versatile for daily using to hold all your belongings. Three compartments inside the bag functionally organize the roomy space and are considerate for conveniently catching. You can put your lipstick in the zip pocket to avoid smearing the cell phone and documents. The ring hanging on the strap is to clip the accessory or keyfob. As for the belting ornament, it goes well with an oversized turnlock and a hidden snap-tab closure to guarantee your bag's safety. Feet under the bottom kindly protect unexpected scuffing.

This Embossed Crocodile Large Garnet features flat leather handles of 14.5 inches plus 8.5 inches drop. It can be adjusted to cater to your hands pleasure. To be honestly, it is appropriate comparing with other luxury brands. Depending on its long-term history and sophisticated craftsmanship, this bag from Coach should meet your demands and will be your hand candy.

No. 2 Coach - New Embossed-Crocodile Large Garnet

GARNET

21 Reasons to Watch the 2010-2011 NBA Season

The most anticipated NBA season in recent memory starts with a bang on Tuesday night as LeBron James and the new look Heat battle the rugged Celtics. Here are 21 reasons to watch what promises to be an unforgettable season. Because 20 reasons just weren't enough.

garnet hill sandals

21. The Start-Ups. I'm a sucker for young, quality teams. I'm not including the Oklahoma City Thunder here, either, because they're well passed this stage. I'm referring to teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, and yes, even the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ok, so the Wolves don't fit the "quality" prerequisite, but I'm still curious to see how Michael Beasley responds in a new setting. I guess David Kahn and I are the only people who still believe in Beasley's talent. Being in agreement with David Kahn only means one thing; you're an idiot. In my defense, a team with Minnesota's athleticism should be good for a handful of 141-138 shootouts with the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. That's fun to watch, right?

GARNET HILL

20. Yao Ming. Is he healthy? Is he still any good? Will he make it past Christmas? All fair questions. The Rockets appear intent on limiting his playing time to less than 25 minutes per game throughout the entire season. If their plan works, a healthy Ming and arguably the West's deepest bench could be a force come April. On a similar note, will we ever see a full season of Greg Oden? In fairness to Portland, it's not like anyone drafted after Oden has been a standout player. Oh, that's right, the Trail Blazers passed on Kevin Durant. Don't worry, Portland. That mistake will only haunt you for the next 10-12 years. Then, it will all be over. Seriously though, sometimes I forget Oden is even in the NBA. He's played in fewer games than Allen Iverson over the past two seasons. Oden is only 47, err 22, so there's plenty of time for improvement, and most centers take longer to develop anyway. However, when the player the franchise passed on is tearing through the league, the world, and winning hearts, it's time for Oden to show some promise.

19. Animosity is back. I've complained about this for years. The NBA is too touchy-feely. Everyone is friends. Bad-blood rivalries between players are gone, etc, etc... The summer of 2010 changed all that. Just about every team is out to destroy the Miami Heat. The Celtics hate anyone not in green. LeBron James has the names of everyone who bashed him. The whole league is on edge this year. Tensions are high. I can't wait.

18. The competition for the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference will be intense. Please don't confuse intense with good basketball, though. In fact, I wouldn't even call it a playoff race. It'll be more like a playoff scrum. After the obvious playoff participants (in no particular order - Hawks, Celtics, Heat, Bucks, Bulls, Magic), there's not a lot left. The Knicks are probably a shoe-in for one of those final spots because the East is that bad. Charlotte made the playoffs last season thanks to tough defense and grinding out wins. Another year of that under Larry Brown probably won't keep Bobcat players invested for a full season, so they're out. The Cavaliers...well, we don't need to relive that, but they're done too. Also left with no shot are the Raptors, Pistons, and Pacers. That leaves the 76ers, Wizards, and Nets as potential murder victims for CSI Miami's first round playoff special.

17. My beloved 76ers. I'll admit, this particular "reason to watch" only applies to me and the other eight remaining 76er fans. Obviously, as painful as it may be, I'm going to watch my team. Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner were supposed to bring excitement and optimism this season. After a dismal preseason, they've brought panic and hopelessness instead. Doug Collins is already faking migraines and bouts of vertigo so he can resign two weeks before Christmas without being called a quitter. In fact, I would actually support this. I was devastated when the 76ers chose Collins because he and Kevin Harlan made up my favorite NBA broadcast crew. Having Collins back for the playoffs and the Sixers heading to the lottery with a shot at the #1 pick would be the perfect season. Hold that thought. If we could also somehow trade Elton Brand and Andre Iquodala for any type of asset, THAT would be the perfect season. Ok, I'm done.

16. The Rookies. Every year we watch to see which rookies will bust (Hasheem Thabeet) and which will excel (Tyreke Evans, Steph Curry, Brandon Jennings). John Wall looks like a sure thing. I spent a decade watching Allen Iverson slash through defenders and jump passing lines at a breakneck pace. John Wall plays the same way, maybe even faster. In Utah, I think Gordon Hayward will have more of an impact than expected because Jerry Sloan is a master at extracting the most from rookies (see Wesley Matthews and Paul Millsap). I also expect to bang my head against my desk every time DeMarcus Cousins puts up a 20 and 10 while Evan Turner's stat line reads; 4 pts, 8 TO.

15. The Chicago Bulls. Perhaps my favorite move of the offseason was Chicago's addition of Kyle Korver because he perfectly complements the Bulls best player (Derrick Rose). Korver, who connected on over 50% of his 3's last season, gives Rose an outlet when he slashes to the cup and will make opponents pay for clogging the lane. But Rose and Korver aren't why I want to watch the Bulls. Joakhim Noah is. Noah is the nastiest player in the league. He won't beat teams by scoring, but he'll certainly limit the effectiveness of opposing forwards and centers. A lot of players have come out and said they're not scared of the Miami Heat. Noah is the only one I truly believe. The guy is fearless. Calling out LeBron James from the bench last season when James was dancing at the foul line in a blowout win against the Bulls said a lot about Noah. He's not intimidated by James or the Heat, or anyone else for that matter. Noah is the quintessential, "I hate that guy, but if he were on my team, I'd love him" type of player.

14. Oklahoma City Thunder. They're the trendy pick to challenge the Los Angeles Lakers and even represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. When you have a 22 year-old phenom like Kevin Durant, nothing is impossible. The roster is loaded and the atmosphere breeds teamwork and winning. Amazingly, the Thunder employ only five players 26 years of age or older. While there's a lot to like about this team, I don't think they'll reach the conference finals. Up to this point, the Thunder has lost in the 1st round of the playoffs. That's the extent of this team's postseason experience. They've never entered a season as a heralded team, either. This season, opponents will bring their best to face the NBA's darlings. The Thunder won't be overlooked anymore. Going through an 82 game season with a target on your back is significantly more difficult than flying under the radar as OKC has done the past two seasons. How they'll respond to the added pressure from fans, media, and opponents will be a fascinating storyline throughout the season.

13. The final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Lakers, Jazz, Mavericks, Spurs, Blazers, Thunder, and Rockets should reach the postseason. If Carmelo Anthony is traded as expected, I don't expect Denver to be the mix, so that leaves one spot open. Can the gutted Suns compete? (Steve Nash doesn't think so; "I would probably pick us to be outside of the playoffs." Yeesh.) Will Memphis or the Clippers make the leap? Does Chris Paul give the Hornets a shot? It may not be pretty, but the race for eighth should be entertaining down the stretch.

12. Where will Carmelo Anthony land? It's a foregone conclusion that he won't end the season with Denver. Where he's traded will alter the NBA landscape. If he teams with Amare Stoudemire in New York, the Knicks become an Eastern Conference contender and a potential NBA title contender when Chris Paul flees New Orleans and joins the Knicks in a couple of years. If he joins the Bulls, Clippers, or Rockets, they too improve dramatically as contenders.

11. The return of Chris Paul. While he had an exceptional year in '08-'09, I feel like Chris Paul has been irrelevant since his Hornets surrendered a 2-0 lead to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2008 Western Conference Semifinals. Paul finally appears healthy heading into the 2010 season as he looks to reclaim his throne as the NBA's best point guard. Although Paul's return will fill some seats, the New Orleans Hornets still won't reach the postseason.

10. The continued rise of Deron Williams. Williams is one of my top five favorite players and currently holds the "NBA's Best Point Guard" title. Say what you will about his deficiencies (doesn't attack the rim enough, his hair, etc...), but Williams is fun to watch. When you see him dart up court on a fast break you just know he's pulling up and burying a three. I nod and smile every time.

9. Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson on TNT's Inside the NBA. I DVR meaningless regular season games just to fast forward to halftime and the postgame show. I love these guys. Enough said.

8. Does Dwight Howard finally become Superman? Lost in all the hoopla surrounding the Heat, Celtics, and Bulls, is the Orlando Magic. While they didn't match the offseason splashes of their Eastern Conference foes, the Magic kept their team intact minus the defection of Matt Barnes to LA. As priceless as it is, continuity still won't be enough to knock of the Miami Heat or Boston Celtics. Dwight Howard, on the other hand, is enough - but only if he finally reaches, or even approaches, his offensive potential. Only time will tell if Howard's practice sessions with Hakeem Olajuwon were the result of the marketing department or Howard's genuine desire to improve. If it's the latter, the Heat's kryptonite resides a few hundred miles north of Miami. Howard, with an effective offensive game, would absolutely terrorize the Heat. Even LeBron James, one of the world's greatest physical specimens, wouldn't be able to contain the strength of Howard. Does Howard become Superman, or keep masquerading as Superman? The answer to this question may determine the Eastern Conference.

7. Every player, coach, referee, GM, and owner is essentially in a Contract Year. If you know anything about sports, you know fans benefit the most from contract years. Players try harder, focus more, and raise their game to new heights. No, this doesn't mean that everyone involved with the NBA is seeking a new contract after the 2010-2011 season. It's not a financial contract year, just a theoretical one. With the threat of a lockout looming, this could be the last these players, coaches, etc... get to display their talents. We all lose if a lockout occurs, but the threat of one looming makes us all winners in the interim. And if nothing in this paragraph made any sense because I screwed it up, just watch because the NBA might not be around next season. Ok, thanks.

6. A familiar Three-peat. That's right, Kobe Bryant embarks on his second three-peat. Wait a second; didn't someone else lead a team to two separate three-peats? Oh that's right. It was Michael Jordan. If Kobe is to pull it off, it's likely his sixth championship will be the toughest. The Lakers are still the best team in the league, but the contenders have closed the gap over the offseason. Let's talk about Kobe though. I'm not a big fan, but he's amazing. We continually wait for him to lose that edge, that competitive streak that makes him the best assassin in the league and the most feared teammate. Yet, he continues to improve his game despite declining athleticism. Although I continually root against him, I've learned to appreciate Kobe in recent years. His talents are only exceeded by his desire for greatness. So, enjoy him while he's still around.

5. The San Antonio Spurs have one more run. I should disclose that I'm not impartial here. Although I'm a 76ers fan, I have a team on the side. That team has been the Spurs since David Robinson entered the league. With the exception of ESPN's John Hollinger, Tim Duncan and the Spurs have been ignored as contenders. San Antonio was crippled by the health of Tony Parker last season. Parker passed on International play this past summer and is fully rested for one final run. Also, despite an impressive rookie campaign, DeJuan Blair spent the offseason improving his offense. Furthermore, Tiago Splitter will add some much needed front court depth, and George Hill continues to improve with time. If the Spurs find a shooter on their roster (hello, James Anderson) and get more than a walking corpse from Richard Jefferson, it's not unreasonable to see them grab the 2 or 3 seed in the West. With their improved front court, and breakout years from their young stars, San Antonio could ride off into the sunset one final time.

4. Revenge is on the minds of the Boston Celtics. Don't you get the feeling that Kevin Garnett and Co. have been seething since they gave away game seven of the 2009 NBA Finals? I'm expecting a motivated and focused team similar to the 2007 Celtics that went wire to wire. If you're wondering why the 2010 Celtics were constructed as is, allow me to explain. Remember in the second movie of The Lord of The Rings trilogy, when Aragorn describes Saruman's army as, "an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of men"? Well this Boston Celtic army was bred for two purposes: destroy the Miami Heat in the paint, and batter the crap out of Pau Gasol and the Los Angeles Lakers. I know they're unpopular outside of Boston, but I love the gritty way the Celtics play. I can't wait to see if they can maintain this passion for eight months.

3. Kevin Durant might steal the hypothetical "torch" from LeBron James. He's the most prolific scorer the league has seen in decades. He can effortlessly score 30. He has all the tools of a superstar and more importantly, the humility and motivation of a D-leaguer. Right now, there is no ceiling. Everything LeBron James did wrong in the offseason, Durant did right. He quietly extended his contract, endlessly praised his teammates (even demanding two unheralded teammates appear on the Sports Illustrated cover with him), and was the unquestioned leader of the U.S. national team that was supposed to be humiliated at the FIBA World Championships. The future of the league is bright, especially with Durant in the driver's seat.

2. The Miami Heat. Three superstars in the prime of their careers joined forces to win multiple titles. Money was left on the table (albeit small amounts) and egos were checked at the door. How long until those egos impact the team will ultimately determine the success of the Miami Heat. Have two of the NBA's top three players ever played on the same team after fulfilling identical roles on their previous teams? Not that I can think of. This is why the 2010-2011 NBA season revolves around the Miami Heat.

1. Love him or hate him, LeBron James is the number one reason to watch the NBA this year. To some, everything he does will be a success. To others, everything will be a failure, even if he wins a title. His new Nike commercial (a great commercial by the way) paints him as an unapologetic, ignorant, narcissistic, rebellious, and immature hero. Regardless, anyway you cut it; LeBron is still the most talented player in the NBA. Since the end of last season, he's become the most controversial and polarizing, too. And that's why, from October through June, we all will watch.

21 Reasons to Watch the 2010-2011 NBA Season

GARNET HILL

Hiking Opportunities in California

If you are an adventure sports junkie and live for the next travel adventure that will give you an adrenaline rush, then try hiking in sunny California. You might have gone hiking before, but once you get a taste of the California hiking you wont want to go anywhere else.

garnet hill dress

California offers hiking trails through almost all imaginable and existing natural environs from high majestic mountains, beautiful alpine lakes, granite gorges, basalt formations, streaming rivers, to awe inspiring meadows and waterfalls.

GARNET HILL

The most fascinating, adventurous and popular hiking trails range from a hike through the legendary Yosemite National Park, through the scenic Devils Postpile National Monument, circling the famous rainbow falls; narrow trails in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and unforgettable hikes through desolation wilderness, bordering lake Tahoe.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite national park established in 1890 has some of the most challenging but beautiful hiking trails in California. The diverse trails can take you from a reconstructed Indian village; the banks of the Merced River; meadows surrounded by majestic mountains; to surging and cascading waterfalls and wondrous rock formations.

With over 840 miles of trail in the Yosemite national park, you can take your pick from a hike around the bottom of the valley or ones with a little elevated trail for the more adventurous hikers. Whichever way you decide to go, don't forget to carry enough water and warm clothes with you to enjoy your trip.

Devils Postpile National Monument

Devils Postpile National Monument, located on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada was established in 1911. This national monument is home to the awe-inspiring basalt formations and the spectacular 101 foot high rainbow falls. The monument has several hiking trails culminating both these features as also the Joaquin River, flowing by. With camping facilities in a meadow, near minaret falls, soda springs and the actual basalt formations, the trails are ideal for families. The views that you get from almost every trail are breathtakingly beautiful.

The only precaution you'll have to take is, use a metal bear box for storing food, as this is bear country.

Ansel Adams Wilderness

The Ansel Adams wilderness earlier known as Minarets Wilderness is located south of the Yosemite national park. The wilderness offers spectacular hikes through granite ridges surrounded by immaculate alpine flora and fauna. The trails lead through beautifully preserved and unspoiled lakes, where you can also enjoy fishing, summit hikes to any of the hills, or a trail on the edges of the San Joaquin River. The Pacific Crest and John Muir trails are some of the most popular hiking trails in this area. Other picturesque destinations are: 1,000 Island Lake, Garnet Lake, silver lake and Banner and Ritter Peaks.

Keep adequate supply of food, shelter and fishing gear on your must carry list when hiking in the Ansel Adams wilderness.

Desolation Wilderness

Desolation wilderness, located west of the Tahoe River is another great hiking area in the state of California. Some of the most popular hiking trails in desolation wilderness are: Wrights trail, Lake Sylvia, Velma Lakes trails, Fallen Leaf and Eagle Falls trails. With more than a 100 lakes and innumerable streams, fishing activities can also be arranged.

A visitor's permit is required to visit the desolation wilderness all year round. Also, keep a portable stove with you to cook food, as open fires are not allowed.

So, get packing and explore the many wonderful hiking experiences that California has to offer.

To see more hiking related sites go to http://www.adventuretraveltips.com/Hiking/North_America/U_S_A_/index.html

This article is brought to you by http://www.adventuretraveltips.com

Hiking Opportunities in California

GARNET HILL

Crystals and Gemstones Cleaning and Care

The importance of Caring for your Gemstones and Crystals

garnet ring

Gemstones are truly gifts from nature, and each stone is unique without its parallel. To maintain the luster, sparkle or other natural beauty qualities of your gemstone, it is necessary to care for your one of a kind gemstone.

GARNET

The vibrations associated with natural gemstones and crystals that benefits us physically, emotionally and spiritually, will also collect vibrations from its surrounding environment, including both positive and negative energies. It is important to clean any "build-up" in the gemstone to allow for a clear path in healing.

Physically Cleaning the Gemstone

To maintain the natural beauty of your gemstone jewelry, it is recommended that you use these safe ways to preserve your gemstones:

- Use a soft toothbrush to clean away any debris on the gemstone.

- Be careful to store your gemstones in a place where they won't clash together and chip.

- Avoid soaking soft gemstones, stone clusters or geodes to prevent from breaking or crumbling.
These gemstones include garnet, amber, apatite, sunstone, aventurine, coral, emerald, jade, pearls, pyrite.

- Avoid drastic temperature changes as this does harm to many gemstones

- Keep jewelry and gemstones in stable container or soft pouch when not wearing or using.

As a general rule, gemstones are natural objects and chemical cleaners may do harm to many gemstones.

Purifying and Clearing Crystal and Gemstone Energies

SALT & WATER TECHNIQUES FOR PURIFYING GEMSTONES

Sea Salt crystals have the capability of absorbing all negative energies and clearing the energies around them.

- Fill container with enough natural dry sea salt to submerge your gemstone inside.

- Submerge gemstone completely inside sea salt.

- After a few minutes, check the gemstone and intuitively feel its effect--the gemstone's energy should feel cleaner

For stronger negative energy yields, it may be a good idea to place your gemstones in salt water for a few minutes time up to twenty four hours. Keep in mind, however, that many gemstones are susceptible to soaking in water and may crumble or break if they are porous.

SMUDGING

This is a traditional method used by Native American shamans. Smokes of specific herbs have a cleansing effect on energies. Dry sage, cedar and sweet grass will have an efficient effect on this. For an easier way, smudge sticks can be found in some New Age stores.

- Light smudge stick or dry herbs over fire-resistant dish.

- Take gemstone and pass it through the smoke, making sure the smoke envelops it completely.

- Intuitively judge the effect of the smoke to determine when to end.

Crystals and Gemstones Cleaning and Care

GARNET

Garnet - The Travelers Gemstone

Almost everyone confuses the Garnet Gemstone with the dark red stone only, the truth of the matter is that Garnet comes in an array of different colors with some of them costing nearly as much as a Sapphire. Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January and is the anniversary stone to celebrate two years of marriage. Good sources of Garnet originate from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Pakistan, Russia and areas of Scandinavia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania and the United States.

garnet

Garnet Gemstones come in a range of colors ranging from colorless to black, the only color they do not appear is blue. Garnet has a high specific gravity, which gives it a heavy weight. This makes it cost a little more than other Gemstones of the same size and carat weight. Garnet sand is also used for industrial purposes to make sandpaper and mixed with high-pressure water jets to cut steel. Many different Gemstones make up the Garnet Group, here is a list of the more well known.

GARNET

Pyrope...is the blood red variety of the group and was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially in 'Bohemian Jewelry'. The best stones have a fiery red color that does not darken too much after being set in Jewelry. Pyrope has a bright glassy look to it and gem quality stones are mined at Buell Park, beyond the reaches of the Painted Desert just east of Canyon de Chelly with specimens up to five carats not uncommon.

Almandite...ranges in color from deep red to violet-red and sometimes even black.

It's name is derived from a town in Asia Minor and it is often confused with Pyrope.

Often cut into cabochons with the underside hollowed out to allow more light to pass through the stone. Almandite can be brittle and have been known to chip while being faceted.

Rhodolite...has a beautiful bright purple-red color with it's composition between that of Pyrope and Almandite, it also has fewer inclusions. Rhodolite is regarded as a superior Gemstone to both it's red counterparts.

Spessartite...a rich orange to red-brown in color often with feather like inclusions, which are actually clouds of minute drops, clean Gemstone quality material is very rarely found and is often confused with Hessonite. A bright orange pure form of Spessartite, which is known as Mandarin Garnet is very rarely found in Gemstone quality material.

Hydrogrossular Garnet...has a very distinctive gooseberry-green color and is very often made into beads or cabochons. Very often inclusions of black magnetite are present which give the Gemstone a speckled look. Because of its resemblance to green Jade it is known as Transvaal Jade or Garnet Jade in South Africa. A variety of pink Hydrogrossular Garnet can also be found.

Grossular Garnet-Hessonite...A brown-orange to brown-yellow member of the Grossular Garnet group, Hessonite is also known as cinnamon stone. The Gemstone has inclusions of small crystals of apatite, that give a swirling effect.

Grossular Garnet-Tsavorite...is a lime-green to emerald-green member of the group, it was first mined in Kenya in 1968. Emerald-green crystals only produce small stones of 2 carats or less, ensuring that they are more expensive than the lime-green stones. Tsavorite is nearly always faceted as a Gemstone.

Demantoid...the bright green variety of andradite group of Garnet is very rare, it is also rare to find stones greater than 1 carat in weight. Demantoid has a very lively fire, as it has a higher light dispersion and brilliance than a diamond. The Gemstone has distinctive inclusions of yellow-brown hair like pieces of asbestos. Of all Garnets, Demantoid is by far the most valuable.

To give a gift of Garnet is believed to be a symbol of love and to show desire of a loved one's safe travel and speedy homecoming. Garnet Gemstones are said to help attract love and to assist in past life recall. Garnet Gemstones have been carried by travelers to protect them from accidents while far away from home. Wearing Garnet Jewelry is believed to give guidance through the night and protection from nightmares. It is said that Noah used a Garnet lantern to navigate the Ark at night.

Garnet has a hardness of between 6.5 and 7.5 on the Moh scale of hardness. It is a perfectly suited Gemstone for use in Jewelry. This quite robust Gemstone is one of the few gems that look better in sterling silver rather than in gold. Above all enjoy the many different colors that Garnet Jewelry has to offer.

Garnet - The Travelers Gemstone

GARNET

Garnet: January's Gemstone - The Benefits of Garnet Jewelry

What is Garnet?

garnet pendant

Garnet is the gemstone for January and those born under the Capricorn zodiac sign.

GARNET

Garnet is a name given to over ten gemstones with similar chemical structure. Although red occurs most, there are also shades of green, pale to bright yellow and fiery-orange. Some rare gems even change color from daylight to artificial light.

The name "garnet" derives from the Latin "granum" meaning "grain". Describing the typically rounded shape of the gemstone and similar to pomegranate seeds. Garnet comes mainly from Africa, but also from India, Russia, central and south America.

It is one of the few gemstones that is usually sold natural. Rarely treated, enhanced or dyed.

Benefits

Garnet makes good jewelry because it's very hard, and so resistant to wear. The gemstone is said to symbolize happiness as well as deep and enduring love and friendship.

Garnet has been found in jewelry from ancient Greece, Rome, and dating back to 3100 BC in Egypt. Oriental warriors made garnet bullets because they believed these would inflict more harm. Others thought garnet brightened the night because of its high refraction of light - explained Noah's garnet lantern to steer his Ark.

Travelers' wore garnets to protect against evil, poison and wounds. It was also believed to help depression and prevent nightmares. Red garnet in particular is said to break a fever, stop bleeding and to reduce inflammation.

Modern Garnet

Today, garnet is prized for its beauty rather than its magical powers. People like its naturalness, its brilliance, and color of a sun-drenched Indian summer. Deep green garnets are the rarest and therefore expensive. Emerald green and colorless garnet is next rarest, followed by pure red. Most gemstones come from India and Thailand.

Garnet Jewelry

Garnet gives a classy, sophisticated, classical and bold image to jewelry. Simple and elegant. As it is relatively expensive, it is usually used sparely on necklaces and bracelets. When designing jewelry, spread your garnet beads out using lots of silver spacers and findings.

Garnet jewelry is commonly set in gold and other precious metals, so is expected to be expensive - don't sell your hand-crafted garnet jewelry cheap!

Garnet: January's Gemstone - The Benefits of Garnet Jewelry

GARNET

Spessartite Garnet

Garnets have been known to man for over five thousand years. The spessartite garnet is the new kid on the block, only having been discovered during the 1800's in Spessart, Bavaria.

garnet jewelry

Until recent years spessartite garnet was not a gemstone that was well known except to gem collectors, and the price was prohibitive.

GARNET

In 1991 there was a deposit found in Namibia, a southern African country which borders Angola, and just before the year 2000 there was another very abundant find in Nigeria. These two finds have made this gemstone more readily available to all, and at a much more modest prices, but that may not last.

Mandarin spessartite is from the Namibia find and got it's name from it's brilliant orange color, Although the name is often misapplied to describe all spessartite. The Namibia discovery, although it produced beautiful gemstones, was not long lived.

The mines in Nigeria were much more productive, and produced gemstones in lighter tones. But after time even this area seems to have given up the best of it's supply. Most of the gems now being recovered are a lesser grade and are marketed as polished stones.

There is speculation that many investors are holding stocks of these gemstones from the earlier and more quality grades. Possibly in the near future, when current available supplies are depleted, they will release this spessartite garnet in the marketplace but at much higher prices.

Spessartite is a reasonably hard gemstone and is usually favored by an oval or emerald cut. There is no evidence that spessartite is enhanced. This gemstone is generally pretty free of inclusions.

Color is an important factor in evaluating garnets which come in colors other than the red attributed to the stone. This is the January birthstone and allows for a diversity of color choices. Garnets come in green, red, purple, pink, and the distinctive colors of the spessartite garnet. The spessartite garnet is unique in it's orange to red-orange coloration, especially the mandarine spessartite garnet which is a vivid orange.

Spessartite Garnet

GARNET

Garnet Minerals - The Many Colors of Garnets

Spessartine is an uncommon garnet. Spessartite or spessartine is manganese aluminum garnet, Mn3Al2(SiO4)3. Madagascar's spessartine garnet is a recently discovered variety with a beautiful raspberry body color, and spectacular salmon-pink fire. Spessartine is an orange-red or plain orange stone, also called "Mandarin garnet. Mandarin Garnets were recently discovered in East Africa and are a variety of Spessartine Garnets. They were found in the German Spessart Mountains, hence their name Spessartine.

garnet hill duvet covers

Rhodolite garnet is a combination of almandine and pyrope, and is sometimes referred to as pyrope-almandine garnet. Rhodolite is a purplish red variety of garnets that has been used since ancient times. Rhodolite garnet, like all garnet is a fairly hardy gem. Rhodolite Garnet boasts a vibrant cranberry color, and its name is derived from the rhododendron flower that shares a similar hue. The color ranges from pink to purplish red in color and is mined in Africa, India, and Sri Lanka. Rhodolite Garnet is used as affordable substitutes for the Ruby. Pyrope garnet is also called anthill garnet in Arizona because ants bring the gem to the surface while building their homes. The term "American ruby" is actually a pyrope garnet (and not a ruby at all).

GARNET HILL

Hessonite (also called "cinnamon stone") is a cinnamon-brown to orange gemstone variety of grossular garnet. Hessonite Garnet is a special Garnet used in Vedic gemology to increase creativity and imagination. The oranges and browns of Hessonite hail from Namibia and Sri Lanka.

Commonly called Tsavorite Garnet, this green grossular are very rare. Tsavorite is among the most coveted members of the garnet family. We adore Tsavorite Garnet because it offers the color and hue of an emerald and yet, it's more rare, and much more vibrant. The name for Tsavorite Garnet comes from the Tsavo National Park in Kenya, which is the only region where Tsavorite Garnet is mined. Tsavorite can be considered a "new" gemstone since it was unknown before its discovery in Kenya in the 1960s. Tsavorite has a beautiful vivid green color, is bright and lively with a high refractive index, and has a garnet's durability and high clarity. Even though Tsavorite Garnet is rare, the lack of demand keeps the prices well below that of the more plentiful Emerald.

Grossular is a pale green, pink, brown, or black garnet, Ca3Al2(SiO4)3, occurring alone or as a constituent of the common garnet. Tsavorite is a variety of green grossular garnets discovered in 1967. The name Grossular comes from the Latin Grossulara (the name of gooseberry fruit) which is the same color as the greenish variety of garnet. Some grossular garnets can have round and elliptical inclusions. Massive white grossular has been found with jade in Myanmar and has been carved by the Chinese. A variety of Grossular Garnets, Hessonite comes in two colors, golden and cinnamon (this variety is commonly known as the Cinnamon Stone.

The demantoid belongs to the large gemstone family of the garnets, and is actually a variety of the garnet mineral andradite. One of the rarest and most sought after colored gemstones have always been demantoid garnet. The name Demantoid means diamond-like, because it has a very high adamantine luster, and color dispersion higher than diamond. As seen with the demantoid garnet, inclusions can sometimes be a benefit to garnets rather than a liability. Demantoid garnet was used lavishly by the Tsars of Russia. Originally discovered in Russia, the Demantoid garnet was favored by Russia's leading court jeweler, Carl Faberge'. Demantoid garnets are softer than other garnets and should be protected. Demantoid has been called the "emerald of the Urals" from its occurrence there, and is one of the most prized of garnet varieties. "Horse-tail" inclusions in demantoid garnet make it more valuable because they prove it came from Russia. It can be more expensive than ruby and sapphire.

Andradite garnet can be yellow-green, green, greenish brown, orange yellow, brown, grayish black or black. Andradite is a calcium-iron garnet, Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3, is of variable composition, and may be red, yellow, brown, green, or black. Andradite garnet is usually black and of no interest to the gem trade, but one variety called "Demantoid" is a lively green. A new green Andradite Garnet has been coming out of Namibia, but some experts say they lack much of Demantoid's character and luster. Andradite can be found in calcareous metamorphic rocks, especially marbles and skarns.

Uvarovite, an emerald-green variety from Russia and Finland, is rarely suitable for gem use. Uvarovite garnet is found only in tiny sizes. Uvarovite is a calcium chromium garnet with the formula Ca3Cr2(SiO4)3. The uvarovite garnet has been synthesized (mineralized with borax to facilitate diffusion of precursors) by several sols-"gel methods. Uvarovite is quite brittle; this makes it difficult to cut for jewelry. Uvarovite, like other garnets, forms rounded crystals with 12 rhombic or 24 trapezoidal faces or combinations of these and some other forms. The Uvarovite Garnet is found In Russia and is a bright green cluster of crystals sometimes also called drusy. Uvarovite develops in a metamorphic environment in serpentines with chromite and in metamorphosed limestone.

Mandarin Garnet is a bright orange garnet. Mandarin Garnet is a trade name for bright orange spessartine from Namibia. Recently, there was a new discovery of Mandarin Garnet in Nigeria with an unbelievable neon orange color. Mandarin Garnets are the intensely bright orange red varieties of the rare orange Spessartite Garnet, also known as Spessartine.

The Merelani Mint is a green grossular garnet. Merelani Mint Garnet is rapidly emerging as a collector's stone and it is becoming quite prominent due to its beauty and rarity. Merelani Mint is the name given to a bright mint green variety of grossular garnet that has been recently discovered in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania.

Garnet Minerals - The Many Colors of Garnets

GARNET HILL

Types And Varieties Of Garnet

Garnet is one of the most admired among many gemstones because of its rich color.

garnet hill slippers

Garnet is one of the most admired among many gemstones because of its rich color. Almandine, pyrope, spessartine, grossular, andradite and uvarovite all belong to the garnet group of minerals. Also included among the garnet family are goldmanite, calderite, knorringite, henritermierite, majorite, kimzeyite, hibschite, katoite, morimotoite and schorlomite. Garnet also appears as a combination of almandine and pyrope known as rhodolite garnet or pyrope-almandine garnet. Because garnet also exists in combination of these minerals, garnet is said to be complex and complicated. Other common names of garnet include Tsavorite, Hessonite, Malaya, Mozambique, Mandarin, Ant-hill, Leuco, Hydrogrossular, Demantoid, Melanite, Topazolite and Thai. These names are taken from the place where the garnets are found.

GARNET HILL

Garnet is admired by many but some people consider garnet to be of inferior quality when compared with other gemstones. It is maybe because garnets are abundant and are widely used. Following the rules of supply and demand, garnets are priced lower than other gems with lesser supply. Although garnet can easily fit any type of jewelry and is favored for everyday wear, garnet should not be subjected to improper heat treatment so as not to destroy the stone. Care of garnet is essential as for all other types of jewelry.

Aside from a good material for jewelry, garnet has other uses unknown to most people. The harder varieties of garnet like almandite can be used as an abrasive when it is in the form of sand. It can be used to replace silica sand for sand blasting. Garnet - when mixed with highly pressurized water, can be used to cut steel. It is also plays an important role in the different studies being conducted for igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Lovers of garnet will know that they own and wear a precious and coveted gemstone which will be always admired.

Types And Varieties Of Garnet

GARNET HILL

Basketball Fitness Training - Why Every Hooper Should Hill Sprint

Serious basketball coaches are always looking for ways to get an edge on the competition - to gain an advantage. It's why you spend so much time researching methods of training that will make your players faster and stronger - and jump higher - without taking up too much time to get results.

garnet hill shower curtain

That's why I believe that running hill sprints (which includes running bleachers and stairs) is a must for any basketball player.

GARNET HILL

This is because hill sprints provide a number of benefits to the basketball athlete. Here are the Top 6:

1. Hill sprints provide the perfect combination of strength and speed training.

It's like lifting weights and sprinting at the same time. The hill gives resistance to your athlete's sprints, making them more difficult while being shorter in distance and duration. Including hill sprints in your training program can bring great results in as little as 15 minutes 1 or 2 times per week.

2. Hill sprints build stamina.

Endurance is something that every basketball player needs - but it is a special kind of endurance. If you want your athletes to perform at their peak, then low, slow distance types of cardio just won't work. Their endurance training needs to mimic the demands of the game. Those needs being - short bouts of intense exertion broken up by periods of lower intensities.

Hill sprints provide just this type of interval training. They will take your players' hearts and lungs to intensities far greater than those found in jogging or traditional types of endurance training. Their body will become used to reaching these higher levels, and recovering quickly in between the "sprints."

More and more scientific studies are showing that VO2 Max (the traditional measure of aerobic endurance) is improved as much - or more- by using high intensity interval-type exercise like hill sprinting.

Want your team to have their "wind" at the end of the game? Hill sprint.

3. Hill sprints increase ankle strength - helping to prevent one of the most common injuries in sports - the ankle sprain.

Ankles are made stronger due to the need to push off harder when sprinting up the hill. Because of the incline, more drive is needed than when sprinting on a flat surface. Improved ankle strength also leads to the ability to push off harder during the game - benefiting a player's important "first step" and lengthening their stride when sprinting in a breakaway on the court.

4. Hill sprints increase basketball players' speed and explosiveness.

This is because hill training promotes two key factors in running faster and jumping higher. First, it forces proper knee lift - essential for driving the legs downward and back for more force. Second, hill sprinting makes the sprinter dorsi-flex their foot while running. The closer the toes are brought to the shin, the more force they can apply on ground contact. Think of dorsi-flexing as loading your foot - then unloading it into the ground - pushing you forward.

Explosiveness is also shown in the way hill sprints can increase your players' vertical jumps - a key measure of power. Jumping is really the same as sprinting - pushing your body forward (or up) against gravity. The more power you can generate from your legs when pushing, the farther or higher you will go.

5. Hill sprints provide a way to safely train your athletes.

In addition to protecting your ankles, hill sprinting protects your athletes' from other types of injuries as well. The last thing you want to do is to injure your athletes while conditioning.

Hill sprinting provides safety in two ways: One, the slightly shorter stride length while running a hill sprint is a great way to protect hamstrings. Most hamstring pulls and strains result from over-extension - something which rarely occurs when sprinting hills.

Second, hill sprints can decrease the pounding on your players' legs. Studies have shown that even a slight grade added to sprints can decrease the impact on the runner's legs by as much as 25%. Shin splints, foot problems and sore knees can be greatly reduced by getting on the hills for your sprints.

6. Hill sprints as mental training

Besides all of the physical benefits of hill sprinting, they also promote mental toughness and goal-setting behavior in your athletes. Looking up at the hill can be daunting when your players are fatigued and nearing the end of their sprint session. By using the hill as a metaphor, you can show them the importance of having a goal (the top of the hill), taking the steps necessary to reach it (one step at a time up the hill), and celebrating their success when they reach their goal (their very own Rocky imitation at the top of the hill). Looking back down the hill after their workout, your athletes can feel the satisfaction of accomplishing something that may have seemed an impossible obstacle.

With all of these benefits for your basketball team, adding hill sprints to your training program should go to the top of your To Do List. It's no coincidence that we found out that this year's NCAA player of the year Kevin Durant made hill sprints a key part of his training. You can develop your own "special" players the same way.

Make your athletes stronger, faster, better conditioned, injury resistant and mentally tough with this "old school" training. You, your team and your fans will be glad you did.

Basketball Fitness Training - Why Every Hooper Should Hill Sprint

GARNET HILL

Rare Garnet Prices

The garnet family is not confined to the common dark red garnets. There are rare garnets such spessartite, tsavorite, demantoid, rhodolite and color-change. They are among the finest of colored gemstones.

garnett shoes

Many gemstone buyers associate garnet with the deep red stones that were enormously popular in European jewelry in the 19th and 18th centuries. These inexpensive garnets mainly belong to the almandine and pyrope varieties. Though they have good hardness and brilliance, they tend to have a distinct brownish tone that makes them less attractive than more expensive red gems such as ruby or rubellite tourmaline.

GARNET

However, there are some rare garnet varieties that are much sought after by gem dealers and collectors. These varieties include the mandarin orange spessartite garnet; the green tsavorite and demantoid garnets; the purplish red rhodolite garnet; and the unique color-change garnet. If you think garnet is rather common, these unusual garnets will change your mind.

Spessartite garnet ranges in color from a vivid orange to reddish orange and orange-red. The orange color derives from manganese, while the addition of traces of iron produce a redder color. The finest specimens come from Nigeria, including some which are a very pure mandarin orange. Prices range from around 0 a carat for high quality orange-red stones to over ,000 a carat for the top vivid orange in large sizes.

Tsavorite garnet is a rare grossular garnet colored by chromium. Discovered only in the 1960's, almost all the tsavorite in the world comes from a small area at the intersection of Tanzania and Kenya in east Africa. The best tsavorites rival emerald in color. Found mainly in small sizes, tsavorites over 2 carats are very rare. Prices range from 0 a carat for good colors with some inclusions, to ,000 to ,000 for clean larger stones with top color.

Demantoid garnet is the rarest and most valuable of the garnets and is one of the rarest of all colored gemstones. It is remarkable for its brilliance and fire. The most valuable demantoid comes from Russia, and is distinguished by unique horsetail-pattern inclusions of byssolite. The vivid green color is the most valuable and stones over 1 carat are very rare. Prices for Russian demantoid start at about ,000 per carat. There is also some demantoid from Africa without horsetail inclusions that is less expensive.

Rhodolite garnet is a mixture of almandine and pyrope garnet that is valued for its purplish-red or raspberry color. Unlike the common dark red garnets, rhodolite tends to be lighter in tone and lacks the brownish secondary hue. Rhodolite is the least expensive of the rarer garnets and high quality specimens can be found for as little as - per carat.

Color-change garnet is usually a mixture of pyrope and spessartite garnets that displays different colors under daylight and incandescent light. This phenomenon is rare and valued by collectors. There is a range of color change, but green or bluish green to red or purple tends to be the most dramatic. These rare garnets have been found in Kenya and Madagascar and prices range from about 0 to ,000 per carat, depending on size, color and clarity.

Rare Garnet Prices

GARNET

NBA - Garnett-Amare Almost Fight As Phoenix Cracks Boston Celtics, 85-77

A re-energized Phoenix Suns courtesy of Shaquille O'Neal, defeated the Boston Celtics 85-77 at Phoenix. The Phoenix Suns went on a 15-0 first quarter run, and the Boston Celtics looked intimidated early on by the paint presence of Shaquille O'Neal and Amare Stoudemire.

garnet hill dresses

The loss created the first three-game losing streak for the Boston Celtics this season, and their 30 points in the first-half was their lowest scoring output of the season as well. The game was sloppy at times, with lots of turnovers. The energy in Phoenix was playoff-like, with the Suns making charges every time the Boston Celtics came close.

GARNET HILL

Kevin Garnett and Amare Stoudemire had some very physical play throughout, with elbows and shoves the norm. The referees had to call a tighter game lest things spiral out of control. Garnett and Stoudemire shouted at each other throughout, two alpha-dogs sizing one another up in what could be a NBA-Finals preview.

Shaquille O'Neal, sporting the new nickname, "The Big Cactus," chimed in with 14 rebounds. His role will be essential as defensive stopper and big-time rebounder as the season comes to its fruition.

Kevin Garnett stated that the West was no joke, and that the Boston Celtics had better be ready against this level of competition. No doubt the Phoenix Suns have propelled themselves into the first row of the NBA Title chase. Old faces in new places like Shaquille O'Neal and Kevin Garnett have made these two teams frontrunners, and the intensity of this game had all the feel of a June NBA Playoff tilt.

NBA - Garnett-Amare Almost Fight As Phoenix Cracks Boston Celtics, 85-77

GARNET HILL

Garnet Mineral Information

The history of Garnet dates back to the Bronze Age (more than 5000 years ago), when it was a very popular gemstone. Garnet is a family of minerals having similar physical and crystalline properties. Garnet is found in a wide variety of metamorphic rocks and in some igneous rocks. Garnet is one of the most common nesosilicates but it has a complex structure. The formula for garnet is (Mg, Fe, Ca or Mn) with Al2Si3O12. Garnet is a very commonly found in gneiss and mica slate. Garnet is a very abundant gem and can easily be found in many places around the world. The garnet crystallizes in rhombic dodecahedrons and trapezohedrons. Garnet is a natural abrasive that is still commonly used in woodworking. The name garnet is derived from the Greek word "granatum" or pomegranate seed. One of the oldest gemstones in history, garnet is the birthstone of January.

garnet jewelry

Garnet is a beautiful stone that comes in quite the range of colors. One popular garnet is chrome pyrope, whose color rivals ruby. Pyrope garnet is the familiar deep red garnet. Garnet is also found in colors ranging from green to orange to brown and black. Almandine garnet is the traditional Indian garnet, which is very dark purplish red. Andradite garnet is usually black and of no interest to the gem trade, but one variety called "Demantoid" is a lively green. The yellowish-green color or the Val Malenco garnet is typical of Fe3+. One of the most sought after varieties of gem garnet are the fine green grossular garnet from Kenya and Tanzania called tsavorite. Mozambique rhodolite garnet is an elite garnet that cuts a bright red with fiery flashes. Hessonite Garnet is a genuine garnet, but with the brown-red or orange color. Malaya Garnet is usually found between Kenya and Tanzania, especially around the Umba valley region that is well known for its buried treasures. Mandarin Garnet is an extreme rarity of the spessartine family.

GARNET

Almandine is the most common garnet, and the most widely used garnet gem. Almandine, Fe3Al2(SiO4)3 (Iron Aluminum Silicate), is a mineral from the garnet family of tetrahedral silicates. Almandine garnet is a smooth, transparent, rich red stone that owes its color to the presence of iron. Connecticut is one of the finest sources in the world of the almandine garnet, named the state mineral by the 1977 General Assembly. While Almandine Garnets (also known as "Almandite") are the most common variety of Garnets, those displaying the star are not at all common. Most almandine garnets are mined in India and Brazil. Iron-rich almandine is widespread in metamorphic rocks such as schists and gneisses and in granitic igneous rocks.

Pyrope is the only garnet that is always a shade of red. Pure pyrope is extremely rare and would be colorless (it is allochromatic); most red gem garnet called pyrope contains an appreciable almandine component. This pyrope is one of the so- called "indicator minerals" prized when prospecting for diamonds. Pyrope is commonly purplish red, orange red, crimson, or dark red; and almandine is deep red, brownish red, brownish black or violet-red. It was the Pyrope Garnet that figured in the ancient Talmudic legend, which held that the only light in Noah's Ark was supplied by an enormous red garnet. The Czech Republic is one of the few places where the Pyrope variety of garnet is found.

Garnet Mineral Information

GARNET

The Samsung U600 Garnet Red Mobile Phone

The Samsung U600 red mobile phone is the latest wonder from the mobile phone giant, Samsung. It has a 10.9mm casing. The mobile phone handset has a casing with a modern design; it has a 2.2 Inch color screen. The screen can be viewed in both open as well as closed position.

garnet hill curtains

The U600 Garnet red mobile phone is available in four colors. They are, sapphire blue, garnet red, platinum metal and copper gold. Since the phone is very light in weight, therefore it is easy to slip the mobile phone in a pocket.

GARNET HILL

The Samsung U600 red has a wonderful built in high resolution 3.2 megapixel camera. This added feature enables the users to click any still photographs. It also allows the video0 recording by the users.

The Samsung U600 has a 2.2 inch LCD colour screen that provides 256,000 colours. The screen makes it possible to view the pictures and videos in a high resolution.

The U600 Garnet red handset is available as a part of the Ultra Edition 10.9. it has a thick casing that measures 10.9 mm.

Another wonderful feature of the Samsung U600 Garnet red is the 60 Mbytes of internal memory. This memory enables the users to save a lot of information on their mobile phone.

The Samsung U600 also has Bluetooth capabilities. The phone is also able to do some high speed data transfers. The Samsung U600 Garnet red phone also has a USB connection cable; this allows the users to easily transfer the higher frequency items.

The blue tooth Samsung U600 Garnet red phone also has an integrated music player. The player can easily play different music formats. No matter what type of music file it is the player can play it easily.

The U600 Garnet also has various easy to use to use messaging services. The phone is also able to send emails, multimedia messages, text messages and picture messages.

So go out in the market check out the U600 Garnet red and see how it changes the definition of a good mobile phone for you.

The Samsung U600 Garnet Red Mobile Phone

GARNET HILL