GARNET is the name which can be applied to six similar mineral species with a similar chemical structure, namely almandine, pyrope, spessartine, grossular, andradite and uvarovite garnet. Complicating matters, many garnets are actually a combination of these minerals. Rhodolite garnet for instance, is a combination of almandine and pyrope, and is sometimes referred to as pyrope-almandine garnet. There are also many trade names and other commonly used names which only adds to the confusion, such as Mandarin garnet, Rhodolite garnet, Tsavorite garnet, Hessonite garnet, Malaya garnet, Mozambique garnet, Ant-hill, Hydrogrossular, and Demantoid garnet. Red is the color which occurs most frequently, there are also Garnets showing different shades of green, pale to bright yellow, fiery orange and fine earth- and umbra-shades. Some garnets also exhibit color change and stars.The shape of the rough crystal is also interesting and is derived from the Latin word "granum" meaning "grain". This refers to the typically rounded shape of Garnet.
Garnets are often favored for jewelry because of there high refraction of light, this is the reason for the amazing brilliance of some garnets. Garnets are in high demand for jewelry they have excellent hardness of 7 - 7.5 on the Mohs' scale and are quite sturdy and resistant to everyday wear and tear.