Almandine

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Jewelry 101--Colored Stones

Almandine (Garnet)

Red to black in color, almandine is but one of a species of garnet, the most common form of the mineral group of garnets. Most almandine is opaque and unfit for gemstone use, though less common transparent to translucent forms can be used.

Though the hardest form of garnet, almandine is almost always dark in color, very few are of gemstone quality.
Lesser quality almandine garnet is polished into cabochons and beads for use in bracelets and necklaces. Almandine garnet is also tumbled into smooth irregular stones for jewelry.
The deep red color of almandine garnet is due to the presence of iron.
Garnet is also the zodiac birthstone for Aquarius.
Almandine garnet is most used in industry, mainly in waterjet cutting and abrasive blasting. Its hardness makes it an excellent abrasive.
Garnet is January's birthstone.

Specs

Chemical Formula	Fe₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂	Mineral Class	Almandine (Garnet)
Color	Red, black
Crystal System	Isometric	Hardness	7.5-8.5
Transparency	Transparent to translucent	Luster	Vitreous
Refractory Index	1.780 - 1.810	Double Refraction	None

Legends

In the past garnets were believed to cure depression, protect against bad dreams, stop bleeding and cure inflammations. It was also believed that wearing garnets would protect travelers from danger and a garnet losing its luster indicated impending doom. Red gemstone cabochons have historically been used as friendship gems and garnets were exchanged as gifts between friends as a demonstration of affection and to insure they meet again.

Almandine garnet is associated the root chakra located at the base of the spine and is used to channel and ground spiritual energies into the physical body.