Garnets are a family of gemstones that are silicates of two or three metals. Most garnets are various shades of red, but the family of garnets actually ranges in all colors but blue. A general formula for red garnets is: (Fe,Mg)3Al2Si2O12. As the mix of the Fe and Mg changes the garnet name (and color) changes from Pyrope (very red usually with a orangish or faint brown tint) to Almandine (purplish-red). The Rhodolite variety is in the middle. Most of the garnet found in Idaho ranges in the Almandine variety. But we do have deposits that lean towards Pyrope. Our supplier has one of these claims and his garnets are a very nice deep red.

Garnet is the birth stone For January. When most of us see the word "garnet," the color that comes to mind is dark red. The most common colors of garnet are red and dark red. In fact garnet comes in many shades and colors. Slices of garnet have been used in windows in churches and temples, and legend has it that Noah suspended garnet in the ark in order to disperse light. Garnet was also carried by travelers for protection

Did you know that the name garnet comes from the Roman word "granatus" meaning seed, as the gems were thought to resemble pomegranate seeds.