The garnet gemstone has fascinated mankind for millennia: Albertus Magnus gave the dark-red carbuncle the name “garnet.” In the legend about the “Holy Grail” it is referred to as having a magical luminosity. In the world of legends and fairytales of the Middle Ages, the garnet was known as a “carbuncle stone”, while Christians considered the blood-red stone as a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice.

Its special features: The blood-red colour, its hardness (the garnet is the sixth hardest among 140 gemstones), and its high refractive index (luminosity). The garnet’s natural crystal form is the rhombic dodecahedra. Garnets come in most varying colours, ranging from shades of red and orange to green.

The dark-red garnet is most common and was already used in ancient Egyptian, Hellenistic and Roman jewellery.

It is hard to believe that these highly treasured gemstones can be found in Radenthein in such large quantities.

Until 1909, the “Laufenberger Granat” was mined in Radenthein and delivered to the famous Bohemian grinding shops for processing. Under the brand name “Bohemian garnet” they were traded as highly appreciated quality products.

By the way, the garnet is the only gemstone to be found in Carinthia.