---
title: "Garnet: meaning in gemology"
description: "Garnet is a group of closely related mineral species. They share the same crystal structure but differ in chemical composition."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/garnet
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/og-digital-gemology.png?v=d224fb01
---

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[Glossary](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary) · Colored gemstones

# Garnet

Also called garnet group

Garnet is a group of closely related mineral species. They share the same crystal structure but differ in chemical composition.

## In more detail

Five species are important as gems: pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular and andradite. Many garnets are chemical mixtures of two or more species. Garnets come in almost every color, and some show a color change like alexandrite. Garnet is rarely treated; when it is, the treatment is fracture filling. Steam cleaning is not recommended.

## Related terms

- [Pyrope](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/pyrope): Pyrope is a garnet species made of magnesium, aluminum and silicon. It is usually pink to orange-red or brown.
- [Almandine](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/almandine): Almandine is a garnet species made of iron, aluminum and silicon. It is typically brownish to purplish red.
- [Spessartine](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/spessartine): Spessartine is an orange garnet species made of manganese, aluminum and silicon. Its hues are warm: yellow, orange, red or brown.
- [Grossular](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/grossular): Grossular is a garnet species made of calcium, aluminum and silicon. It has perhaps the widest color range of any garnet species.
- [Demantoid](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/demantoid): Demantoid is the green variety of andradite, a garnet species of calcium, iron and silicon. Chromium causes its color.
- [Color change](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/color-change): Color change is a visible change of a gem's main hue between daylight and incandescent light.

[All 369 terms](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary)