The term 'garnet' can be applied to more than ten different gemstones of similar chemical composition. It is true to say that red is the colour most often encountered, but the garnet also exists in various shades of green to intense yellow, a fiery orange and some vaguely earth-coloured tones. The only colour you don't find is blue.

The name Garnet probably comes from the Latin granatus, a reference to the Punica granatum, known to you an I as the pomegranate.

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