mineral
Rough Garnet (Almandine)
Almandine Garnet (Fe3Al2(SiO4)3)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7.0-7.5 on Mohs scale. Color: Deep brownish-red to dark red. Luster: Vitreous to resinous. Crystal Structure: Isometric/cubic (often dodecahedral). Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 4.1-4.3.
- Hardness
- 7
- Color
- Deep brownish-red to dark red
- Luster
- Vitreous to resinous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7.0-7.5 on Mohs scale. Color: Deep brownish-red to dark red. Luster: Vitreous to resinous. Crystal Structure: Isometric/cubic (often dodecahedral). Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 4.1-4.3.
Formation & geological history
Formed primarily in regional metamorphic rocks such as mica schists, gneisses, and amphibolites under medium to high pressure and temperature conditions.
Uses & applications
Used widely as an industrial abrasive (sandblasting, waterjet cutting), gemstone for jewelry when gem-grade, and as a popular collectible mineral specimen.
Geological facts
Garnet is the official birthstone for January. The name garnet comes from the Latin word 'granatus', meaning seed-like, referring to its resemblance to pomegranate seeds.
Field identification & locations
Look for rounded, equant crystal shapes with 12 or 24 sides in metamorphic host rock. Found in abundance in regions with ancient metamorphic belts like India, Madagascar, Brazil, and parts of the USA.
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Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary