gemstone

Red garnet (likely almandine or pyrope), polished/tumbled

Garnet-group silicate; commonly almandine Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ or pyrope Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Deep wine-red, translucent to nearly opaque, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and no cleavage; Mohs hardness 6.5–7.5, cubic crystal structure, specific gravity about 3.6–4.3. The smooth glossy surface indicates cutting or tumbling.

Identified August 27, 2026More gemstone →

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At a glance

Common name: Red garnet (likely almandine or pyrope), polished/tumbled
Scientific name: Garnet-group silicate; commonly almandine Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ or pyrope Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
Category: gemstone
Identified: August 27, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

$2–$20 for a small common polished piece; approximately $25–$200+ if unusually clear, large, or gem-quality.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Garnets crystallize mainly in metamorphic rocks such as schist and gneiss during medium- to high-grade regional metamorphism, though some form in igneous rocks; individual crystals may be hundreds of millions to over a billion years old. They commonly weather into stream and placer deposits.

Uses & applications

Gem-quality garnet is used in jewelry and carvings; abrasive-quality garnet is used for waterjet cutting, sandblasting, and filtration media. Small polished pieces are common lapidary and teaching specimens.

Geological facts

Red garnets are often mixtures of garnet species, so exact identification requires refractive index, density, or chemical testing. Unlike ruby, garnet typically lacks strong birefringence and cleavage.

Field identification & locations

Look for a dense red stone with glassy luster, conchoidal fracture, and hardness sufficient to scratch glass; color alone cannot distinguish garnet from glass or ruby. Common sources include India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, the United States, and Brazil.