Garnet
(gar-net')
12th c.; lat. granatum
Group of silicate minerals. Some varieties display a wide range of colors and are important as gemstones. Under the name garnet we only refer to the red to pink varieties like almandine, pyrope and rhodolite.
Color
Light to dark red to brownish or purplish red
Family
Aluminum and magnesium (or iron) silicate
Chemical composition
Mg (or Fe)3Al2(SiO4)3
Hardness (Mohs scale)
7 - 7,5
Specific gravity
3,90 ±0,30
Refractive index
1,73 to 1,81
Optical character
Single refractive