Garnet

About Garnet

Actually a group of over 20 species, not a single mineral. Tsavorite garnet (green) is rarer than emerald and often more brilliant. Demantoid garnet has higher dispersion (fire) than diamond. The largest garnet ever found was a 3.8 meter crystal. They have been used as gemstones and abrasives for over 5,000 years. Bohemian garnets from Czech Republic fueled a jewelry boom in the 1800s. Almandine is the most common red variety. Color-change garnets shift from blue-green in daylight to purple-red under incandescent light. They are found on every continent. They are the state mineral of Connecticut.