Garnet: 'gär-n&t - A brittle and more or
less transparent, usually red, silicate
material that has vitreous luster, occurs
mainly in crystals but also in massive
form and in grains, is found commonly in
gneiss and mica schist, and is used as a
semiprecious stone or as an abrasive

Color: can be almost any color, though
traditionally used in the deep red form
Mined: can be found throughout the
world
Moh's Hardness: 7-7.5
Birthstone: January (modern
birthstone), January (traditional
birthstone) and January (Ayurvedic
birthstone)

The family of minerals known as garnets
are a prehistoric stone dating as far back
as ancient Egypt, though garnets have
made appearances throughout history, in
the Bible (the story of Noah) and in
earliest recorded Greek chronicles. The
Greeks named the garnet from their
word "granatum" meaning pomegranate
seed because of the garnet's remarkable
similarity to the sweet fruit.

Also see: Rhodolite Garnet