# Garnet > [!material-gem] Material Details > | | | > |---|---| > | **Aliases/Varieties** | Almandine. Andradite. Grossular. Pyrope. Spessartine. Uvarovite. | > | **Category** | Gemstone | > | **Color(s)** | Any; most commonly red | > | **Cost** | —— | > | **Environment/Habitat** | —— | > | **Profession(s)** | [[Alchemist]], [[Jewelcrafter]], [[Tinkerer]] | > | **Qualities** | - Alchemical<br>- Healing<br>- Ornamental<br>- Protective | > | **Rarity** | —— | > | **Size** | —— | > | **Weight** | —— | > [!material-gem] Specifications > | | | > |---|---| > | **Crystal System** | Cubic | > | **Formations** | Varied forms in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks | > | **Formula** | X3Y2(SiO4)3 | > | **Hardness** | 6.5–7.5 (Mohs) | > | **Mineral Class** | Silicate mineral group | > | **Primary Components** | silica, aluminum, magnesium, iron, manganese, calcium | > | **Refractive Index** | —— | --- ## Description A varied group of minerals used industrially and as popular dark red gemstones. They serve as a magical light source, cure illnesses, and protect from robbers and thieves. ### Physical Description A common group of silicate minerals with varied properties depending on mineral inclusions. The most abundant gem quality type, almandine, is colored red by iron impurities. Magnesium-rich pyrope ranges from red to purple to black. Spessartine, containing manganese, appears in shades of yellow-orange to violet-red. Calcium varieties, andradite and grossular garnets, may be yellow, brown, red, green, or black. A rare chromium variety, uvarovite, displays a beautiful green color. The rarest and most valuable garnets are clear, vivid blue. --- ## Occurrence Garnets are found throughout the world in many types of rocks, usually with a high aluminum content, such as shale, gneiss, mica schist, marble, or granite. It may be also extracted from basaltic lava flows. Some garnets are created in the mantle and brought to the surface just like diamonds. ### Extraction & Preparation The easiest to extract are garnets embedded in sedimentary rocks; basic mechanical methods will do. Garnets are cut to strengthen their color and often thinned in the back to allow more light to pass them. No treatment is needed; neither heat nor radiation affect the colors. --- ## Properties ### Decorative Properties Garnets are a popular choice for jewelry. Deep red, purple, blue, and golden yellow varieties are most valuable. ### Industrial Properties Non-gem quality garnet is crushed and used as an abrasive in water-jet cutting, sand blasting, on sandpaper, and in water filtering. ### Magical Properties Also known as carbuncle, meaning "little coal," garnet is the source of magical illumination. Use it in production of eternal lamps and everburning torches. It is a safe choice for lighting underground buildings and mines, as it requires no oxygen to burn and produces no heat, and does not cause sparks that could end in fire or an explosion. Instead, garnets filter the air, expelling fumes and harmful vapors. The living fire found in most vibrant of stones is a powerful magical healing aid. It cures all illnesses, brings warmth in the harshest winters, restores emotional balance, and disperses melancholy. It is particularly suited for working with the blood: closing wounds, staunching or stimulating bleeding, or purifying the circulation. Unlike hematite, it is not suited for less-than-benign blood magic. Garnet protects from arson, poison, and captivity. It repels robbers and thieves—and should it fail, it brings misfortune to its unlawful new owner until the stone is returned. It guarantees victory over one's enemies and turns them into friends. Placed under the pillow, garnet protects from nightmares, wraiths, and demons. An extremely rare and powerful type of garnet is mined not from depths of the earth but from an uncommon species of dragons who carry the stones embedded in their skulls. Such dragons tend to gather on gold-bearing sandy riverbanks and engage in deadly mating rituals. The easiest method of procuring such stone is to collect it from a dead dragon or purchase it from the locals dealing in such a trade.