Characteristics of Garnet:

Chemical Name:

Formula: (Fe,Mg,Ca,Mn)3(Al,Fe)2Si3O 

Colors: Black, brown, yellow, green, red, violet, orange, pink

Structure: Cubic

Hardness: 7-7.5

Specific Gravity: 3.6-4.3

Refractive Index: 1.73-1.94

Lustre: Vitreous

Streak: White

Locations: Canada, USA, Mexico, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Sri Lanka

What is Garnet? 

Garnets are generally thought of as red, but they can also be orange, pink, green, black, and honey-brown. All species of Garnets have similar physical properties and crystals forms, but differ in chemical composition. There are over 15 Garnet species, of which six varieties are most commonly used as gems: pyrope, almandite, spessartite, grossularite (includes hessonite and tsavorite), andradite (includes demantoid), and uvarovite. Although they are found in many different colors and compositions, Garnet are easily recognized because they are generally found as well-developed crystals with a basic – although sometimes modified – dodecahedral form. The name Garnet is derived from the Latin granatus, from granum (“grain”, seed), possibly a reference to the vivid red seed covers of the pomegranate, which are similar in shape, size and color to some Garnet crystals.

The use of Garnets as gemstones dates back to at least the Bronze Age. They were especially used inlaid in gold cells in the cloisonne technique, a style often just called Garnet cloisonne. Many consider this the highest point of Garnet work, and it can be seen in Anglo-Saxon England at Sutton Hoo and in the Staffordshire Hoard. A lesser-known use of Garnet is as an abrasive, used instead of silica sand in sand blasting. Garnet is used to cut steel and other materials in high-pressure water jets. Garnet sandpaper is a favorite of cabinet makers for finishing bare wood.