The term for the semi-precious stone garnet comes from the Latin word ‘Granatum' which means pomegranate. This is because the seeds and pulp of the fruit is actually similarly colored to garnet. Garnet crystals are also similar to the shape and size of pomegranates.

Garnet is actually a group of minerals which have been used by many ever since the Bronze Age as abrasives and as gemstones. They most often come in red; however, they are available in a lot of colors that could span the entire spectrum.

The six most common garnet species are essentially recognized on the basis of their chemical composition. These species are almandine, pyrope, spessartite, grossular (which includes tsavorite and hessonite or cinnamon-stone), andradite and uvarovite. They are comprised of two solid solution series. The first one being uvarovite-grossular-andradite and the second one pyrope-almandine-spessarite.

Garnets are found in most colors which includes red, yellow, orange, green, purple, brown, blue, black, pink and even colorless. The most rare one would be the blue garnet, which was discovered in Bekily, Madagascar during the late 1990s. It could also be mined in several areas in the United States, Turkey and Russia. This garnet can change its color from blue-green during the day into purple when under incandescent light. This effect is basically a result of having relatively high amount of vanadium. Some other kinds of garnets which have the ability of changing color do exist as well.

Garnet is the birthstone of those individuals who have been born in the month of January. Some of its holistic benefits include its power to regenerate the bloodstream, give assistance for accepting love and provide courage. It is also believed to be a creativity stimulant.