Hessonite: varieties, properties, how to distinguish from a fake

Hessonite is a variety of garnet that exhibits very beautiful color changes under different lighting conditions. In the morning it is yellow-orange or almost red, in the afternoon and in the sunset it becomes dark brown, almost chocolate. And in bright artificial light, hessonite sparkles with vibrant shades of purple and violet.

Hessonite deposits

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Deposits of hessonite are found in a variety of countries, for example, in countries such as Italy, Germany, India, and Russia. High-quality specimens suitable for jewelry are mined in Mexico and Sri Lanka. Geologists believe that 9/10 of the territory of the last island is covered by a layer that includes hessonites. They are distinguished by their special beauty and rich shades of red, red-orange, brown and orange.

History of hessonite

The name of hessonite is a reflection of its properties.
The ancient Greek “hesson” translates to “weakest.” And in fact, hessonites are the most fragile of garnets. Gem-quality examples are also rare due to common defects in the crystal structure of this stone. Due to inclusions of apatites and zircons, hessonite acquires a pronounced granularity. But such grains do not interfere with cutting. A couple of centuries ago, hessonites were very popular in jewelry.
With their help, books, icons, and other church items were decorated. Interest in the gem then faded for some time, but was renewed during exploration of the Indian Ocean islands. From there they brought tea, spices and hessonite stones, which were then called “cinnamon stone” and “oriental hyacinth”. Today, the demand for high-quality hessonites continues to grow due to their beauty and unusualness.

Types of hessonite stone

Since the range of colors of hessonite is quite diverse, it has many names. Over time, residents of various countries gave it the following names:

• cinnamite;
• oriental hyacinth;
• cinnamon stone;
• hyacinthoid;
• colophonitis;
• olintholite.

The stone is actually similar to hyacinth, which is a type of zircon. However, hessonite has different physical and chemical characteristics. For example, it is not as durable as hyacinth.

It is for this reason that the gem is called “weak” or “inferior”. Its value is inferior to that of a pomegranate. Nevertheless, jewelers enthusiastically use the mineral to create their products. In particular, they prefer hessonite stone, since some specimens reach 3-4 cm.

However, hessonite is not only used by jewelers. Lithotherapists, psychics and astrologers also loved it.

Physico-chemical characteristics of hessonite

Hessonite is a complex silicate of iron, aluminum and other elements. Natural stone is found in all shades except blue; it is characterized by a glassy, ​​greasy, sometimes diamond-like shine, and an uneven or conchoidal fracture. Hessonite crystals have no cleavage, the symmetry is hexaoctahedral, the crystal system is cubic. The mineral contains many small particles, impurities of zircons and apatites. Hardness on the Mohs scale 7.0-7.5, density 6.5-8 g/cm3.

Characteristics of the mineral

This mineral is a jewelry variety of grossular garnet , which has a honey-yellow or orange color. From a distance, the human eye can perceive the orange color of the stone as red.

Essonite has an interesting feature - under electric lighting, the color of some faceted stones looks even brighter than in daylight. This is a very rare effect. Purple-red and violet colored garnets are also often considered hessonite.

In its color, essonite resembles another mineral - hyacinth - a reddish-brown variety of zircon, but hessonite has much less strength . It is because of this that it got its name. After all, from Greek hesson is translated as weak, smaller and inferior.

Hessonite is lower in value and quality than other stones from the garnet family. For its characteristic yellow color, hessonite is nicknamed “brown stone” or cinnamon.

Sometimes hessonite is found in the color of cinnamon, which is why it is called “cinnamon stone.” Essonite can also be orange, which is why it is becoming increasingly popular among jewelers and jewelry lovers.

Physico-chemical properties of hessonite

• the stone is a silicate of iron, aluminum and other elements, moreover, it is a mixture of andradite with grossular;
• can occur in nature in all colors except blue;
• essonite has a glassy, ​​greasy, sometimes diamond-like luster;
• the fracture of the stone is uneven to conchoidal;
• lack of cleavage;
• hessonite has a hexaoctahedral symmetry and a cubic system;
• is a good cutting stone;
• the stone contains many small particles and inclusions of zircon and apatite, which give essonite its characteristic granular appearance;
• on the Maos scale, the stone has a density of 7.0–7.5; and the density of essonite is from 6.5 to 8 g/cm 3;
• Hessonite is a product of calcium metasomatism and can sometimes be found in the voids of metamorphosed basalts.

Mineral deposits

Hessonites are mined in different countries - in Italy, Germany, India, and in Russia - in the Southern Urals. These minerals from the garnet family are also supplied to international markets from Mexico and Sri Lanka.

The best essonites are supplied to jewelry markets from Sri Lanka - there are complex placers there, where, according to geologists, 9/10 of the entire territory of the island is covered by a layer that includes jewelry stones.

Minerals from placer deposits in Sri Lanka are red, red-orange, brown and orange. Hessonite is also found in the Urals (Akhmatov mines), in the Alps and other places.

Other names for hessonite

Hessonite has many other synonymous names, which to one degree or another convey some of the properties of the stone.

• Eastern or Ceylon hyacinth is the name of the mineral, reminiscent of the similarity of its color to the color of a stone such as hyacinth (this is a reddish-brown variety of zircon).
• False hyacinth - hyacinthoid - names of essonite, which also indicate that its color is similar to the color of hyacinth (in Greek, eidos means “similar”).
• Colophonite is an obsolete synonym for essonite and is used very rarely today.
• Cinnamon stone - this name is also an outdated synonym for the mineral, indicating its characteristic yellow color. Sometimes the name changes a little and then hessonite becomes “cinnamon stone”.
• Olintholite is also an outdated synonym for hessonite, often used in reference and scientific literature, hinting at the yellow color of the mineral.
• Cinnamon stone or cinnamite is almost the same as cinnamon stone.

Types of hessonite

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Hessonite is the only type of stone, but it is characterized by many synonymous names that indicate its properties:

• Eastern or Ceylon hyacinths - indicates the similarity of the coloring of hessonite with hyacinth.
• False hyacinths, or hyacinthoids - indicates the similarity of hessonite and hyacinth.
• Colophonites is an obsolete name that is now rarely used.
• Cinnamon stones, cinnamon stones or cinnamites are old terms that refer to stones that are yellow in color.
• Olintholites - the name is also associated with the yellow color of the mineral.

Magical properties of hessonite

Residents of India associated yellow hessonites with the nails of the god Val.
They were believed to help develop creativity and combat illusions. Taking into account the word “hesson”, which translates as “soft”, the relationship of the stone to its owner is determined. Hessonite is a guardian and at the same time an educator for the owner. He is an excellent helper in trouble, he will teach you how to correct mistakes and prevent them, and protect a person from all troubles. The stone is able to pacify the owner’s anger, make him more peaceful, and relieve irritation and aggression. With the help of hessonite, a person is enveloped in an atmosphere of peace and benevolence. Bad emotions disappear, and even a trace of them does not remain in the person’s soul.

A person who wears jewelry with hessonite is always easy to distinguish in a large company; he shares his experiences, opens up and is always balanced.

Hessonite

Hessonite

This mineral is a jewelry variety of grossular garnet, which has a honey-yellow or orange color. From a distance, the human eye can perceive the orange color of the stone as red.

Hessonite has an interesting feature - under electric lighting, the color of some faceted stones looks even brighter than in daylight. This is a very rare effect.

In its color, this mineral resembles another mineral - hyacinth - a reddish-brown variety of zircon, but hessonite has much less strength. It is because of this that it got its name. After all, from Greek hesson is translated as weak, smaller and inferior.

Hessonite is lower in value and quality than other stones from the garnet family. For its characteristic yellow color, hessonite is nicknamed “brown stone” or cinnamon.

Hessonites are mined in different countries - in Italy, Germany, India, and in Russia - in the Southern Urals. These minerals from the garnet family are also supplied to international markets from Mexico and Sri Lanka.

The best hessonites are supplied to jewelry markets from Sri Lanka - there are complex placers there, where, according to geologists, 9/10 of the entire territory of the island is covered by a layer that includes jewelry stones.

Minerals from placer deposits in Sri Lanka are red, red-orange, brown and orange. Hessonite is also found in the Urals (Akhmatov mines), in the Alps and other places.

Eastern or Ceylon hyacinth is the name of the mineral, reminiscent of the similarity of its color to the color of a stone such as hyacinth (this is a reddish-brown variety of zircon).

False hyacinth - hyacinthoid - names of hessonite, which also indicate that its color is similar to the color of hyacinth (in Greek, eidos means “similar”).

Colophonite is an obsolete synonym for hessonite and is used very rarely today.

Cinnamon stone - this name is also an outdated synonym for the mineral, indicating its characteristic yellow color. Sometimes the name changes a little and then hessonite becomes “cinnamon stone”.

Olintholite is also an outdated synonym for hessonite, often used in reference and scientific literature, hinting at the yellow color of the mineral.

Cinnamon stone or cinnamite is almost the same as cinnamon stone.

Like other garnets, yellow hessonites have a positive effect on the digestive system and optimize its functioning. For this effect, you need to wear a silver ring with this jewelry stone on the ring finger of your right hand.

If you wear hessonite in a pendant, necklace or necklace, you can improve the functioning of the upper respiratory tract and get rid of inflammation of the throat. The mineral will also speed up a person’s recovery in cases of sore throat, tracheitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.

You can wear a bracelet made of stones on your right hand, so it will help cope with skin diseases, digestion and get rid of allergies and constipation, or at least alleviate them. Hessonite will help the owner forget about youthful pimples and acne - because it normalizes digestion. Hessonite has the property of strengthening the owner’s immunity, and can even cure asthma - if worn in the form of a brooch.

In Indian myths, yellow hessonites were associated with the nails of the god Val. It is generally accepted that these stones help develop creativity and fight illusions.

The second meaning of the word hesson is soft, and this is what characterizes the relationship of the stone to its owner. Hessonite is a kind of nanny, guardian, educator for its owner. He often consoles him in grief, teaches him to correct his own mistakes and tries to prevent them, and protects the person from various troubles.

Hessonite pacifies the anger of its owner, puts him in a peaceful mood, and helps to subside irritation and aggression. The gem seems to surround a person with an atmosphere of peace and benevolence. He immediately removes all negative emotions, very carefully, without leaving even a trace of them in the owner’s soul.

If a person wears hessonite jewelry, he can easily be noticed in a large company - he wants to share his own experiences, open himself and is always calm.

Hessonite is one of the few minerals that is not contraindicated for anyone. Astrologers advise all zodiac signs to wear it, and the stone will be especially useful for people born under the signs of Fire - after all, it will restrain their raging nature and impart calm.

Hessonite will also have a very favorable effect on Libra, Cancer and Aquarius, because the patron of these signs is Chiron - a wise and kind centaur, a true friend of Hercules and the hero of ancient Greek Thessalian myths. For these signs, hessonite will become a real helper in life and all endeavors.

Sometimes hessonite is found in the color of cinnamon, which is why it is called “cinnamon stone.” Hessonite can also be orange, which is why it is becoming increasingly popular among jewelers and jewelry lovers.

Due to its properties, hessonite can become an excellent talisman or amulet. A talisman made of stone will help a person change for the better, and the amulet will absorb negative energy directed at the owner.

Hessonite is a talisman for teachers, kindergarten teachers, doctors, lawyers and other representatives of the law - in general, all those people who, while doing their work, must always act honestly, nobly and not forget about justice.

A stone talisman will provide the family with reconciliation and peace in the home. In order to protect the hearth and maintain respect between spouses, it is better to purchase an uncut crystal for the house - this way it will protect the entire house. And there is no need to be afraid that the mineral will look strange in the interior - recently it has become fashionable to purchase such things.

Hessonite will also prove to be a very useful talisman for those who must defend their rightness - the mineral does not like lies and always vehemently defends the truth, never giving the owner offense.

Healing properties of hessonite

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Hessonites and jewelry with them are recommended to be worn on those parts of the body that need to be treated or protected.

Along with other garnets, hessonites have a good effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and optimize its functioning. For this purpose, a silver ring with hessonite is worn on the ring finger of the right hand.

The gem in pendants, necklaces or necklaces improves the functioning of the upper respiratory tract and relieves inflammation in the throat. In addition, it speeds up recovery from tonsillitis, tracheitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.

A hessonite bracelet on the right hand helps cope with skin diseases and allergies, as well as constipation. By normalizing digestion, the condition of the skin improves and acne stops bothering you. Hessonite strengthens the immune system, and brooches made from it are used in the treatment of asthma.

Hessonite colors

Hessonite is a jewelry variety of garnet; it is usually colored honey-yellow or orange, which from a distance is often perceived as red. In electric lighting, the coloring of some faceted specimens becomes even brighter than in daylight, which is quite rare. Purple-red and violet garnets also belong to the hessonite group; in appearance they are very similar to hyacinite. There are also cinnamon-colored hessonites, which are called “cinnamon stones.”

Hessonite: description, characteristics

Hessonite is a semi-precious mineral that is one of the varieties of garnet - grossular.
It can have an amber, brown, yellow, red-brown color. At its price, hessonite is inferior to other gems from the garnet family. A distinctive feature of the stone is its ability to change color depending on the lighting. In brighter light, the color of the mineral becomes velvety and rich. In the sun's rays from afar, it resembles a red garnet.

Hessonite and zodiac sign

Hessonite is one of the few stones that is not contraindicated for any zodiac sign.
Astrologers advise everyone to wear it without exception. The gem has a particularly good effect on representatives of the fire element, as it well restrains their stormy nature and gives the necessary calm and balance. Hessonite is also favorable for Libra, Cancer, Aquarius, since their patron is Chiron, a smart centaur, a friend of Hercules.
For these signs, hessonite becomes a true assistant in any business or task.

Prices for hessonite products

In general, hessonite is valued less than garnets of similar shades due to its low hardness, but jewelers note its unusual property of becoming brighter in artificial light.
A 1-carat sample of hessonite starts at $25. A large cut stone weighing 2-3 carats costs about $200. The cost of jewelry is determined by the material of the frame and the work of the craftsman.

How to wear and care instructions

An interesting feature of hessonite is the fact that under electric lighting it becomes even brighter than under natural light. Therefore, jewelry made from this mineral will be an excellent addition to an evening look for going to the theater, restaurant or social event.

Hessonites should be stored in a soft cloth wrapper separately from other stones and jewelry. The stone is easy to care for: it can be cleaned with running water or soapy water, and then wiped with a clean soft cloth.

Interesting facts about hessonite:

• Talismans and amulets made of hessonite help their owner change for the better and absorb negative energy that is directed at a person.
• Hessonite amulets are recommended for teachers, educators, doctors, lawyers - all those who are obliged to act honestly and fairly in their work. In addition, such talismans are useful to everyone who is forced to defend what is right, since hessonite does not like lies, defends the truth, and will not allow its owner to be offended.
• Hessonite is recommended to provide peace and tranquility to the family. To preserve the hearth and maintain the mutual respect of the wife and husband for each other, uncut crystals are purchased for the house.

Talismans and amulets made of hessonite

Due to its properties, hessonite can become an excellent talisman or amulet . A talisman made of stone will help a person change for the better, and the amulet will absorb negative energy directed at the owner.

Essonite is a talisman for teachers, kindergarten teachers, doctors, lawyers and other representatives of the law - in general, all those people who, while doing their work, must always act honestly, nobly and not forget about justice.

A stone talisman will provide the family with reconciliation and peace in the home . In order to protect the hearth and maintain respect between spouses, it is better to purchase an uncut crystal for the house - this way it will protect the entire house. And there is no need to be afraid that the mineral will look strange in the interior - recently it has become fashionable to purchase such things.

Hessonite will also prove to be a very useful talisman for those who must defend their rightness - the mineral does not like lies and always vehemently defends the truth, never giving the owner offense.