VARIETIES Kunzite: Lavender violet to rose violet Hiddenite: Deep green GARNET The name garnet is applied to a group of six closely related silicate minerals that are alike in crystal structure but that differ mainly in the substitution of certain metallic elements in their composition. These minerals are: _Pyrope_, magnesium aluminum garnet _Almandine_, iron aluminum garnet _Spessartine_, manganese aluminum garnet _Uvarovite_, calcium chromium garnet _Grossular_, calcium aluminum garnet _Andradite_, calcium iron garnet Most natural garnets have compositions intermediate between members of the basic group of six. For example, there are garnets having compositions anywhere between pyrope and almandine, depending on the amount of difference in the magnesium or iron content. These same garnets may even have varying amounts of manganese, and thus be partially spessartine. The six garnets in the basic group are found in considerable quantity in many areas, but seldom are they of sufficiently high quality to be considered gemstone material. Even when stones of gem quality are found, their colors—particularly the reds—tend to be so intense that they seem to be opaque. [Illustration: Garnets occur in several colors, although most people think of them as red. Shown here are a 54-carat spessartine from Brazil (top right), a 6-carat rhodolite from North Carolina (at left), a magnificent 10-carat green demantoid from Russia, a 9-carat grossular from Ceylon (bottom), and a 26-carat spessartine from Virginia. (Seven-eighths actual size.)] Garnet has a hardness (about 7) suitable for gemstone material and a fairly high refractive index (1.74 and above). Ruby red pyrope is the most popular variety of garnet. It is found in Bohemia, in Czechoslovakia, where it occurs as small, poorly shaped crystals. Red pyrope also is found in Africa, where it is called Cape ruby, and in Arizona, where it is sold as Arizona ruby. Another kind of pyrope called _rhodolite_ is noted for its soft, rosy purple color. Actually, rhodolite is one of the intermixed garnets with a composition somewhere between pyrope and almandine. Most of the fine rhodolite gems have come from North Carolina. Almandine is popular in its deep red, transparent form, but since the red is so dark and intense that it appears black, the stones usually are cut as cabochons with the back hollowed out. This makes them thinner, and thus lightens their color. Garnets cut in this manner are all known as carbuncles. Brazil, India, Ceylon, Australia, and parts of the United States are important sources of almandine.