General name of a group of related minerals, often used as gem stones. Garnets crystallize in the isometric system, usually as rhombic dodechahedrons, tetrangonal trisoctaherons, or combinations of the two forms. The different varieties of garnet exhibit almost all colors except blue. Brown, red, green, yellow, black, and colorless stones are common. Darker stones are usually opaque, and light ones may be transparent or translucent. The hardness of garnet varies from 6.5 to 7.5 and the specific gravities of the specimens may be anywhere between 3.1 and 4.3. Garnets have a vitreous or resinous luster, and some varieties exhibit considerable brilliancy. Chemically, garnets are compound silicates, and the varieties are usually differentiated by their chemical composition, though the composition of gems varies.

Magic & Myth

Garnet is a stone of vital power and energy, and lends vitality and strength. It aids in raising and directing the flow of kundalini energy and increases sensuality. Given as a gift garnet symbolizes true and never-ending love and devotion. Garnet invokes and releases ones creative ability and inner fire.

Andradite - A type of garnet that varies widely in composition and color. An opaque, black variety, called melanite, is sometimes used for jewelry by people who are in mourning. A transparent yellow variety which resembles a topaz and is sometimes misleadingly called topazolite. It is found in Italy.

Demantoid - A grass-green andradite found in the Urals and other places, is sometimes misleadingly sold under the name of Uralian emerald or of olivine which it somewhat resembles.

Grossularite - A light colored or colorless garnet, usually found in shades of green, red, yellow or brown. Yellow gems of this variety are often called hyacinths, and yellow and cinnamon-brown specimens are marketed under the names hessonite, essonite or cinnamon stone. A massive form of grossularite which occurs in South Africa is often incorrectly called South African jade or Transvaal jade.

Pyrope - The variety of garnet most often used for gem purposes and is prized for its ruby-red color. Pure pyrope has no color, but all specimens contain impurities which produce a number of shades from red to black. Imperfect crystals of pyrope which occur in the diamond fields of South Africa are sold as Cape rubies.