Proteus Garnet Gemstone: Properties, Meanings & Value

Proteus is a variety of the gemstone garnet that’s been treated to have a metallic coating and dual appearance in different types of lighting. Reflected light makes proteus garnets look metallic and dark gray, while transmitted light makes them look dark red.

The term “proteus” was originally a marketing term for what was believed to be the first treated garnets commercially available as gems.

Today, proteus garnets are no longer commercially sold, at least for now. But they’re still relevant to the modern history of garnet gemstones.

Today, we’ll fill you in on all the proteus garnet facts, from the history and meaning of these gems to their benefits and properties.

About Proteus Stone

Proteus is a semi-precious gemstone in the garnet family. The proteus garnets created were of the garnet species pyrope, almandine, or a mixture of these two.

Garnets are January birthstones as well as zodiac stones for Capricorn and Aquarius signs. Garnet is also the traditional 2nd wedding anniversary gem.

Almandine garnets, specifically, are the state gemstone of Connecticut, USA, the “Constitution State.”

Outside the gem world, garnets have various industrial uses.

Because of its superior Mohs hardness among garnets, almandine is great for abrasives. These abrasives may be used in sandpaper or replace silica for sandblasting.

Industrial-grade garnets produced for abrasives may be called “rock garnet.” Some unexpected applications for abrasive garnet are woodworking and water filtration.

Additionally, garnets can help geologists study the temperatures and pressures that rocks form under in a field called geothermobarometry. They can similarly indicate geological timelines when used as a geochronometer or thermochronometer.

Proteus Specifications & Characteristics

The term “garnet” actually describes a large, complex group of gemstones split into two series (pyralspite and ugrandite) and species within each series. Pyralspite has the species pyrope, almandine, and spessartite. Ugrandite has the species uvarovite, grossular, and andradite.

Each species can have its own varieties, many of which are hybrids, like the pyrope-almandine hybrid rhodolite.

Proteus garnets are in the pyralspite series, which are iron-rich and have the formula [Mg,Fe,Mn]3Al2(SiO4)3.

What is a pyrope garnet? Or almandine garnet?

Pyrope garnet is a magnesium aluminum silicate with the formula Mg3Al2Si3O12 or Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 in pure form, though no pyrope is pure. Almandine garnet is an iron aluminum silicate with the formula Fe3Al2Si3O12 or Fe3Al2(SiO4)3.

Here are the proteus crystal’s properties:

Mineral family: Pyrope-almandine garnet

Mohs hardness: 6.5-7.5

Color: Dark red in transmitted light; Metallic dark gray in reflected light

Crystal structure: Isometric (cubic)

Luster: Metallic

Transparency: Subtransparent to opaque

Refractive index: 1.73-1.83

Density: 3.65-4.30

Cleavage: None

Fracture: Conchoidal

Streak: White; Coating may come off as metallic gray

Luminescence: None

Pleochroism: None

Birefringence: None

Dispersion: 0.022-0.027

Next, we’ll look at proteus garnet’s meaning symbolically.

Proteus Meaning & History

The meaning of proteus garnets matches the meaning of garnets like red pyrope garnets and other varieties. Garnets traditionally symbolize friendship, passion, and commitment.

Ancients believed garnets lit the way for travelers, protecting them from harm. Medieval physicians used the stone to treat the Black Plague, resolve conflicts, and encourage fidelity. Christian clergy during this time saw garnets as symbols of the blood and sacrifice of Christ.

Image credit: Dolan Clark | Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

Proteus in Mythology

The name "proteus garnets" is a reference to the Greek mythological figure, Proteus.

According to mythology, Proteus was a prophetic seaman or sea god (depending on the story). He’s one of the gods Homer called the “old man of the sea.”

Though Proteus could see the past, present, and future, he’s better known for his ability to shapeshift. In fact, he’d often shapeshift to avoid telling others of his knowledge.

This shapeshifting ability is what led to proteus garnet’s name, as the stone has a dual appearance in different lighting.

The figure’s shapeshifting also led to the word protean, which means “versatile” or “able to change frequently or easily.”

Protean also appears in various works of literature throughout history. 16th-century German alchemist Heinrich Khunrath described Protean as representing the subconscious mind and anima mundi, a belief that all living things are connected.

Shakespeare used Proteus in Henry VI Part 3 to highlight Richard III’s devious plans for attaining the crown.

Even famous 20th-century Swiss psychologist Carl Jung used Proteus to represent the unconscious and compared him to alchemy figure Mercurius, who he called “a world creating soul.”

Etymology-wise, Proteus comes from the Greek prōtos, meaning “first.” This also connects to the way proteus garnet was marketed as the first treated garnet.

History of Proteus Garnets

Garnets are one of the gem species (like spinels) that don’t tend to respond to typical treatments like irradiation or heat treatments, so treated garnets weren’t really an option for many years.

However, the first report of successfully treated garnets was published in the 1975 issue of Gems & Gemology. The gem, thought to be a cuprite initially, was actually an almandine garnet with a “sputter” coating — meaning it had a thin film deposited onto it — resulting in a metallic luster.

In 1994, Austrian-American chemist Dr. Kurt Nassau successfully made a purple-colored rhodolite take on a “hessonite-type brownish color” by heating it to around 600°C. The stone had a metallic coating that was likely due to iron oxidation.

In 2007, German gem carver Gerhard Becker tried heat treatments on purple Brazilian rhodolite garnets. He heated them in a furnace at increasing temperature increments, cooling and analyzing the stones in between each increase.

At 700°C, the stones started changing color, further changing color up to 900°C and eventually developing a metallic coating resembling hematite. This coating could be polished away.

Proteus Healing Properties

Proteus garnets, like any garnet or any gem for that matter, can be used as healing stones. The deep red coloring makes these gems helpful for increasing vitality and passion, like other red gemstones. The gray metallic luster also grants them the benefits of gray gemstones such as offering balance and stability.

Physical Healing

Purported physical benefits of proteus garnets include increasing:

• Strength & endurance

• Fertility & libido

• Blood circulation

• Iron absorption

• Immune system function

It’s also said to help with:

• Arthritis

• Sore throat

• Inflamed or burned skin

• Digestive issues

• Immune system function

Emotional Healing

Emotionally, proteus garnets can help lift you up when you feel anxious or despondent. They’re also believed to boost feelings of motivation, resilience, and connection with others.

Chakra Healing

Chakra healing involves opening or balancing blocked energy centers (chakras) to allow energy to flow freely throughout the entire system.

Proteus garnets are great root chakra stones, the center of physical needs and connection. When this chakra is blocked, you may feel fearful, frustrated, or on high-alert. Opening it with proteus garnet brings feelings of safety, energy, and stability.

Proteus Gemstone Properties

Since proteus garnets aren’t commercially available anymore, they aren’t graded. However, you can check out our guides on almandine and pyrope garnets to see how factors like inclusions, color, faceted cuts vs cabochon cuts, and carat weight affect these garnets’ value.

Proteus Formation & Sources

Before this stone becomes a “proteus garnet” through treatments, it starts as a pyrope-almandine garnet.

Pyrope and almandine garnets form when aluminum-rich, sedimentary rocks undergo metamorphism from pressure and heat, altering the minerals inside into new minerals like garnet.

Because garnets are so tough, they’re one of the only minerals left behind after intense weathering. Almandine-pyrope garnets are mostly found in metamorphic rocks like mica schists.

Mining Locations

According to the International Gem Society, only some almandine-pyrope garnets mined in the US will accept the treatments and become proteus garnets.

The only other garnets known to be heat-treated are demantoid garnets, but this treatment simply enhances their color.

Pictured above: Rhodolite garnet

Proteus Garnet Price & Value

Proteus garnets aren’t sold anymore, though they may be created again to be sold at some point. Since they’re treated and darker in color, they’d likely be lower in price than other red garnets like pyrope.

The pyrope garnet price per carat differs significantly based on variety and quality, ranging from $5 to $6,000 per carat. You can see specific prices of pyrope varieties in our Pyrope Info Guide and browse our pyrope garnets for sale like rhodolite, Malaya garnet, color-changing garnet, and more.

Proteus Garnet Care & Maintenance

Garnet gemstone care is pretty straightforward. You may want to opt for protective settings in a more vulnerable garnet ring to prevent scratches, though.

You can clean garnets gently with mild soap, warm water, and a soft toothbrush. Don’t use mechanical or steam cleaners. Store garnets in a cool, dry place away from other gems.

Intrigued by Proteus Garnets?

Proteus garnets are rare and unique, capable of showing an effect most garnets can’t. Though proteus garnets aren’t available now, you can find similar garnets to suit your fancy like color-changing garnets or dark red Mozambique garnets.

Find gorgeous garnets today!