Garnet is a group of minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. The name "garnet" comes from the Latin "granatus", possibly a reference to the "malum granatum," or "pomegranate," a plant with red seeds similar in shape, size, and color to some garnet crystals. While garnets are most often seen as red, they are available in a wide variety of color including orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, and black. Discovered in the late 1990s in Madagascar, the blue garnet is the rarest of the colors.
Care: Because the chemical composition of garnet varies, the atomic bonds in some varieties are stronger than in others. As a result, the mineral shows a range of hardness on the Mohs Scale from about 6.5 to 7.5. Because of this, the stone is susceptible to nicks and cracks caused by impact. To clean your garnet, use warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Ultrasonic cleaning is safe for most types of garnet, but avoid using a steam cleaner.
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