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Garnet Group

Garnet is a name given to a group of closely related silicate minerals sharing the same isometric structure. In mineralogy the term garnet has been expanded to include other non-silicate minerals with the same structure, but in gemmological usage, garnet relates specifically to the various mineral species listed below.

Garnet Group Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Garnet Group Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Garnet Group gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.25 cts
Heaviest:88.74 cts
Average:5.31 cts
Total photos:124
Do you have a larger Garnet Group? Why not upload a photo?
0.25ct to 9.10ct9.10ct to 17.95ct17.95ct to 26.80ct26.80ct to 35.65ct35.65ct to 44.50ct44.50ct to 53.34ct53.34ct to 62.19ct62.19ct to 71.04ct71.04ct to 79.89ct79.89ct to 88.74ct
General Information
Varieties/Types:
Almandine - An iron-aluminium Garnet.
Almandine-Pyrope - Garnets intermediate between Almandine and Pyrope.
Rhodolite - A rose-red variety of Garnets from the Almandine to pyrope series.
Andradite - A calcium iron garnet.
Demantoid - A green variety of andradite.
Melanite - A black variety of andradite.
Topazolite - A yellow-brown variety of andradite.
Andradite-Grossular - Garnets intermediate between andradite and grossular.
Grossular - A calcium aluminium garnet.
Hessonite - A golden orange to brown variety of grossular.
Hydrogrossular - A grossular containing hydroxide (OH).
Transvaal Jade - A compact green massive jade-like variety of grossular.
Tsavorite - An emerald-green variety of grossular.
Pyrope - A magnesium aluminium garnet.
Chrome Pyrope - A violet chrome-bearing variety of pyrope.
Pyrope-Spessartine - Garnets intermediate between pyrope and spessartine
Umbalite - A light pink to purple pyrope, originally from the Umba River, Tanzania.
Spessartine - A manganese aluminium garnet.
Uvarovite - A calcium chromium garnet.
Chemical Formula
X
 
3
Z
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3

X = Ca, Fe, etc
Z = Al, Cr, etc
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
Physical Properties of Garnet Group
Mohs Hardness6.5 to 7.5
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
Specific Gravity3.55 to 4.33
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
TenacityBrittle
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
Cleavage QualityNone
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
FractureConchoidal
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
Optical Properties of Garnet Group
Refractive Index1.730 to 1.895
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
Optical CharacterIsotropic
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
Dispersion0.022 to 0.057
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
Colour
Colour (General)Colourless, yellow, yellow-green, green, red, pinkish red, pale pink, violet-red, brown, black
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
TransparencyTransparent,Translucent
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
LustreSubadamantine,Vitreous
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
Crystallography of Garnet Group
Crystal SystemIsometric
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
HabitTrapezohedral, dodecahedral, massive
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
Spectrographic Data
Calculated Spectra:
Click spectra for more information
Spessartine - Locality: Not sure
Further Information
Mineral information:Garnet Group information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Afghanistan
 
  • Kunar
    • Dara-e-Pech District
[var: Spessartine] Quinn and Laurs (2004)
Australia
 
  • Northern Territory
    • Central Desert Region
      • Harts Range (Harts Ranges; Hartz Range; Hartz Ranges)
        • Mt Riddock Station
F.L. Sutherland (1999)
Austria
 
  • Tyrol
    • Schwaz District
      • Finkenberg
[var: Almandine] Staebler and Pohwat (2008)
[var: Almandine] Staebler and Pohwat (2008)
[var: Almandine] Staebler and Pohwat (2008)
      • Mayrhofen
[var: Almandine] Staebler and Pohwat (2008)
Azerbaijan
 
  • Dashkasan District
    • Dashkesan
Smith and Smith (1995)
Brazil
 
[var: Almandine] Eeckhout et al. (2004)
Canada
 
  • Nunavut
    • Qikiqtaaluk Region
      • Baffin Island
[var: Almandine] Wilson (2007)
  • Québec
    • Chaudière-Appalaches
      • Les Appalaches RCM
        • Saint-Joseph-de-Coleraine
[var: Andradite] Wilson (2007)
    • Estrie
      • Le Val-Saint-François RCM
        • St-Denis-de-Brompton
[var: Grossular] Wilson (2007)
      • Les Sources RCM
[var: Grossular] Amabili et al. (2004, 2008)
[var: Grossular] Amabili et al. (2004, 2008)
[var: Andradite] Wilson (2007)
China
 
  • Fujian
    • Zhangzhou
      • Yunxiao Co.
        • Tongbei
[var: Spessartine] Ottens (2004)
  • Tibet
    • Nyingtri Prefecture (Linzhi Prefecture)
      • Bomi Co.
        • Yigong
[var: Uvarovite] He et al. (2000)
Czech Republic
 
  • Ústí nad Labem Region
    • Litoměřice District
      • Podsedice (Podseditz)
[var: Pyrope] Zang and Gilg (2008)
India
 
  • Andhra Pradesh
    • Uttarandhra Region
      • Visakhapatnam District
Viswanatha (1982)
[var: Almandine] Viswanatha (1982)
  • Rajasthan
    • Ajmer District
[var: Almandine] G. Choudhary and J. Panjikar (2009)
    • Bhilwara District
S. Fernandes (1999)
    • Jaipur district
[var: Almandine] Viswanatha (1982)
    • Jhunjhunu District
[var: Almandine] Viswanatha (1982)
    • Jodhpur Division
      • Sirohi District
[var: Almandine] G. Choudhary and J. Panjikar (2009)
[var: Grossular] Viswanatha (1982)
Iran
 
  • Kerman Province
    • Arzuiyeh County
[var: Andradite] Laurs (2002)
Italy
 
  • Lombardy
    • Sondrio Province
[var: Andradite] Zang (2008)
Japan
 
  • Nara Prefecture
    • Yoshino district
      • Tenkawa village
[var: Andradite] Hainschwang and Notari (2006)
Kenya
 
  • Taita-Taveta County
[var: Grossular]
[var: Grossular] Kane et al. (1990)
      • Tsavo National Park
[Grossular var: Tsavorite] Keller (1992)
  • Turkana County
    • Lodwar
[var: Pyrope] Barot (1993)
Madagascar
 
  • Alaotra-Mangoro
    • Ambatondrazaka
      • Ambatosoratra
[var: Almandine] F. Danet (2009)
  • Androy
    • Bekily
      • Ambahita
        • Color-changing Garnet Mining Field
[var: Pyrope] Henn (1999)
  • Anosy
    • Taolañaro (Fort Dauphin)
      • Andranobory
[var: Almandine] Schmetzer et al. (2001, 2002)
  • Atsimo-Andrefana
    • Ampanihy
[Grossular var: Tsavorite] Laurs (2003)
  • Diana
    • Ambanja
      • Antsakoamanondro
[var: Andradite] Danet (2009)
  • Ihorombe
    • Ihosy
      • Ilakaka
Hanni (1999)
      • Sakalalina
[var: Almandine] F. Danet (2009)
Mali
 
  • Kayes Region
    • Bafoulabé Cercle
[var: Andradite] Brightman and Tunzi (1995)
    • Nioro du Sahel Cercle
      • Sandaré Commune
[var: Grossular] Dameron (2008)
Mongolia
 
  • Arkhangai Province
    • Hangai highland
      • Tariat Volcanic Province
[var: Pyrope] Dill et al. (2004, 2006)
Mozambique
 
  • Niassa Province
[Almandine-Pyrope var: Rhodolite] J. Marques (2009)
Myanmar
 
  • Mandalay Region
    • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
[var: Spessartine] Kyi et al. (2005)
        • Bernardmyo
[var: Almandine] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Chaung-gyi
[var: Almandine] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Almandine] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Kyatpyin Central
[var: Andradite] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Kyauk-Pyat-That
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Spessartine] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Mogok Valley
[var: Almandine] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Almandine] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • On-dan
[var: Almandine] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Almandine] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Pein-Pyit (Painpyit; Pyan Pyit)
[var: Grossular] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Almandine] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Almandine] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Almandine] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
    • Yamethin District
[Grossular var: Hessonite] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
  • Sagaing Region
    • Katha District
      • Wuntho Township
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Namibia
 
  • Erongo Region
    • Dâures Constituency
      • Tubussis Farm 22
[Andradite var: Demantoid] Laurs (2002)
  • Kunene Region
    • Epupa
[var: Spessartine] Palfi (2005)
Nigeria
 
[var: Spessartine] Michelou (2007)
[var: Spessartine] Michelou (2007)
Pakistan
 
  • Gilgit-Baltistan
    • Shigar District
      • Braldu Valley
        • Hoh Nala
[var: Spessartine] Blauwet (2008)
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province
    • Lower Dir District
[var: Almandine] Jackson (1992)
Russia
 
  • Chelyabinsk Oblast
    • Verkhny Ufaley
      • Ufaley District (Ufalei District)
        • Korkodin
[Andradite var: Demantoid] Korchevskaya (2006)
    • Zlatoust
      • Nazyamskie Mountains
[var: Grossular] Evseev (1993)
  • Perm Krai
    • Gornozavodskii District
      • Saranovskaya Village (Sarany)
[var: Grossular] Kolesar (1997)
  • Primorsky Krai
    • Dalnegorsk Urban District
[var: Grossular] Smith and Smith (1995)
  • Republic of Karelia
    • Pitkyarantsky District
      • Kitelya
[var: Almandine] P. Lyckberg (2009)
  • Sakha
    • Mirninsky District
      • Daldyn
[var: Pyrope] P. Lyckberg (2009)
      • Mirny
[var: Pyrope] P. Lyckberg (2009)
[var: Grossular] Evseev (1994)
[var: Grossular] Evseev (1994)
[var: Grossular] Evseev (1994)
  • Sverdlovsk Oblast
    • Asbest
[var: Grossular] Smith and Smith (1995)
    • Polevskoy
[Andradite var: Demantoid] Zang (2008)
South Africa
 
[Grossular var: Transvaal Jade]
Sri Lanka
 
  • Central Province
[var: Pyrope] Milisenda and Henn (1999)
  • North Central Province
    • Polonnaruwa District
Milisenda and Henn (1999)
  • Sabaragamuwa Province
    • Ratnapura District
Chandrajith et al. (1998)
      • Rakwana
Chandrajith et al. (1998)
      • Ratnapura
[var: Almandine] G. Zoysa (2009)
  • Uva Province
    • Monaragala District
[Grossular var: Hessonite] G. Zoysa (2009)
[Grossular var: Hessonite] G. Zoysa (2009)
Tanzania
 
  • Arusha Region
    • Ngorongoro district
      • Loliondo
[var: Spessartine] Pardieu (2007)
  • Dodoma Region
    • Mpwapwa District
Dirlam et al. (1992)
  • Manyara Region
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/tanzania-mines.htm
    • Simanjiro District
      • Lelatema Mountains
[var: Grossular] Pardieu (2007)
[var: Grossular] Pardieu (2007)
  • Ruvuma Region
    • Tunduru District
gemexplorer.org
USA
 
  • Alaska
    • Wrangel City and Bourough
      • Petersburg Mining District
Frazier and Frazier (1990)
      • Wrangell Island
        • Wrangell
[var: Almandine] Crawford et al. (2005)
  • California
    • San Diego County
      • Ramona Mining District
        • Ramona
[var: Spessartine] Laurs and Knox (2001)
      • Warner Springs Mining District
        • Chihuahua Valley
[var: Spessartine] mindat.org
    • Siskiyou County
      • Klamath Mountains
        • Happy Camp
          • Greens Bar placer
Melhase, John (1935c), Some garnet localities of California: Mineralogist: 3(11): 23; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 196.
        • Preston Peak
[var: Grossular] Gems & Minerals (1963): July: 20-22; USGS (2005), Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS): U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia, loc. file ID #10286810.
  • Idaho
    • Benewah County
      • Camas Cove Mining District
[var: Almandine] Ream (2000)
Zambia
 
  • Eastern Province
[var: Pyrope] Johnson et al. (1999)
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