Also Known As
Almandine (deep violet-red)
Andradite (pale tints to brown or black, not red; green)
Grossular / Grossularite (various, usually pale tints to orange-red)
Gooseberry / Transvaal Jade (green grossularite)
Tsavorite (transparent green grossularite)
Rosolite (pink to rose red Grosslarite)
Pyrope (deep yellow-red)
Spessartine / Spessartite (brown with reddish / pinkish tone; orange)
Uvarovite (emerald-green)
Topazolite / Rainbow garnet (yellow andradite)
Melanite (dark red or black andradite)
Demantoid (emerald-green andradite)
Rhodolite (deep pink or pinkish red)
Hessonite (orange or brown grossularite)
Description
Garnets are a group of silicates. All garnets crystallize in the cubic system. There are six main types of garnet: almandine (deep violet-red), andradite (pale tints to brown or black, not red; green), grossular / grossularite (various, usually pale tints to orange-red), gooseberry / Transvaal Jade (green grossularite), tsavorite (transparent variety of green grossularite with chromium and vanadium), rosolite (pink to rose red grossularite), pyrope (deep yellow-red), spessartine / spessartite (brown with a reddish or pinkish tone; orange), and uvarovite (emerald-green). The varieties colored red are due to the presence of iron. The green colors are derived from the presence of chromium. Yellow varieties of andradite are known as topazolite / rainbow garnet, while dark red or black crystals are called melanite, and emerald-green as demantoid (inclusions of titanium and manganese). Rhodolite is a deep pink or pinkish red garnet. The best grossular garnet is also green, but specimens may appear in other colors. Orange or brown may be known as hessonite. Finally, spessartine is orange. The exact intensity of the coloration is determined by the amount of iron in each specimen.
Mineral Information
Hardness: 6.5 - 7.5
Rarity: Common
Astrological And Related Info
Sign: Leo, Virgo, Capricorn, and Aquarius
Crystal Information
Chakra: (red varieties) Root
Garnet is a stone of health and a stone of commitment, extracting negative energy from the chakras and transmuting the energy to the beneficial state. It enhances ones internal fire, bringing the creative powers to the stage of implementation. It inspires love and devotion. This mineral produces highly charged positive vibrations, which tends to discourage chaotic, disruptive, and disorganized growth.
