Garnets are a group of minerals highly valued as gemstones in jewelry as well as industrial abrasives.
There are over twenty natural garnet species, and several more synthetic varieties. Their unique crystal lattice makes many synthetic garnets perfect for use in lasers and other optical electronics. This garnet species is pyrope and it is the only natural species that is always red. Pyrope, which means “fiery-eyed”, is formed under the high pressures and temperatures of Earth’s lower crust and mantle. These garnets contain some iron, which means they are very slightly attracted by a strong magnet. If you ever decide to crush this garnet, try using a magnet to pick up the powder.
It is thought it may have been named after pomegranates due to its similar color, but garnets occur in virtually all colors. Blue garnets are the rarest color and were first discovered in the 1990s.
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