Garnet Groupings

Although related, Garnets come in several different groupings with different, crystallized, isometric structures and mineral compositions.

Garnets are chemically compound silicates that widely differ in composition and form and under each grouping, there are sub groups that are the same in some compositions and vary in others.

Grossularite: Colorless or lightly tinted stones, in different hues of yellow, brown, red, and green.

• Subgroups: Hessonite, Leuco Garnet, Tsavorite and Hydrogrossular

Uvarovite: Emerald green and mostly rare and to small for use as gemstones.

• Subgroups: Hessonite, Topazolite, Demantoid, and Grossularite.

Almandite: Light to deep red to some violet hues.

• Subgroups: None.

Andradite: Colors range from black, brown, to a yellowish brown.

• Subgroups: Demantoid, Melanite, Topazolite.

Spessartite: Red brown, orange, yellow, brown, transparent.

• Subgroups: Rhodolite, Almandite, Pyrope Crystal, Spessartite Crystal.

Pyrope: Red to brown tint.

• Subgroups: Rhodolite

Garnet is found all over the world. In the United States, a reddish purple specimen is found that has a four ray or six ray star that is similar to a six ray star ruby.

In Kenya, a green variety (tsavorite) is found that is sometimes confused with emeralds.

When adorned to gold, silver, and other precious metals, garnet gemstones are beautiful and can be worn proudly in rings, cameos, necklaces, and other jewelry pieces.

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