X₃Y₂(SiO₄)₃
Garnet
Pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular, andradite and uvarovite share one cubic pattern and quarrel about colour.
- Formula
- X₃Y₂(SiO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5–7.5
- Crystal system
- cubic
- Colour
- red
- Element
- fire
- Chakra (tradition)
- root
- Zodiac
- Capricorn, Aquarius, Aries
- Month
- January
- Where the earth keeps it
- Bohemia, India, Tanzania
What it actually is
Garnet is X₃Y₂(SiO₄)₃ before it is a story. The lattice is cubic, Mohs 6.5–7.5, and the eye meets red.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Bohemia, India, Tanzania. Pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular, andradite and uvarovite share one cubic pattern and quarrel about colour.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Garnet to fire and to the root centre. The old site stood it near: Capricorn, Aquarius, Aries. Old tables sit it beside January.
How not to turn it to ash
A hard stone survives a daily ring, yet two diamonds in one box will scratch each other. Warm water and a soft cloth are enough.