Garnet
What is Garnet?
Garnet is a group of silicate minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. It’s primarily found in Africa, Sri Lanka, and India. Garnet is often used as a gemstone and is a popular choice for jewelry due to its deep red color and spiritual significance.
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Garnet is a deep red gemstone that belongs to a group of silicate minerals. Its rich color and lustrous appearance make it a popular choice for jewelry and decorative items. The stone is often used in rings, necklaces, and pendants.
| Chemical Classification | Inorganic - Silicate (Garnet group) |
| Color | Garnets come in a variety of colors, including red, brown, green, yellow, orange, pink, and even some blues. |
| Streak | White to Brown |
| Luster | Vitreous to resinous. |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent. |
| Occurrence | India, Sri Lanka, and the United States. |
| Formation | Garnets typically form in metamorphic rocks under high temperatures and pressures. |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | Perfect in two directions |
| Mohs Hardness | 6.5 to 7.5. |
| Specific Gravity | 3.5 to 4.3, depending on the type of garnet. |
| Diagnostic Properties | Dodecahedral crystal habit, various colors. |
| Chemical Composition | X3Y2(SiO4)3 (Where X and Y are various metal ions) |
| Pleochroism | Some garnets, like almandine, exhibit pleochroism, showing different colors or depths of color when viewed from different angles. |
| Crystal System | Isometric/Cubic (varies by type) |
| Optical Properties | Isotropic (most varieties) |
| Refractive Index | Varies by type, e.g., Almandine: 1.760 - 1.790 |
| Birefringence | Varies by type, e.g., Almandine: None (isotropic) |
| 2V angle | Measured: 93° |
| Dispersion | 0.024 – relatively high, giving it good brilliance. |