The Mineral Group That Became a Gemstone

For this weeks forum discussion,I chose to focus on the history, uses, and

make up of the Januarybirthday gemstone Garnet.

What I found most interesting about the gemstone Garnet is that it is made

up of many dierent minerals that are identical in structure but each have

unique chemical formulas. Together they form Garnet. Most of the time

Garnet is comprised of the mineralsPyrope, Almandine, Spessartine,

Andradite, Glossular, and Uvarovite. Less commonly, Garnets may also have

the minerals Knorringite, Majorite, Calderite, Goldmanite, Schorlomite,

Kimizeyite, and Morimotoite; rarely, the gemstone may also include Katoite

and Hibschite.

Garnet is a charming gemstone that is most commonly red, but can also be

an entire rainbow of dierent colors such as green, yellow, orange, brown,

pink, purple, gray, and even black. Green Garnets are called Tsavorite and

were /rst discovered in Tanzania. Garnets are found all around the world in

places such as Brazil, Kenya, Afghanistan, India, Russia, and even more.

www.minerals.net/mineral/hydrogarnet.aspx

www.minerals.net/garnet_mineral_group.aspx

www.minerals.net/gemstone/garnet_gemstone.aspx

www.gia.edu/garnet

www.treasuremountainmining.com