Garnet is the name given to a group of crystals which contain minerals that are chemically and physically similar. They are compounds of silica, but depending on the variety of crystal they might also contain calcium, iron, aluminum, magnesium or chromium.

Garnets often occur as well-developed cubic shaped crystals. The occur commonly occur in metamorphic rocks such as schists and gneisses. They can also occur in igneous rocks and weathered garnets can be found in sands. There are six common species of Garnet, these are recognised by their chemical composition. These species are pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular, uvarovite and andradite

Garnets can be found in colours such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, pink and colourless.

Garnets have a hardness ranging from 6 to 7.5, and its gravity ranges from 3.6 to 4.3.

Garnets are most commonly used as gemstones and abrasives.

Examples of Garnet on DeviantArt.