As there are a lot of different gemstones found on the face of the Earth, the classification of these stones is quite necessary. The gemstones are categorized on a number of bases like prices, origin, chemical properties and so on. While categorizing on the chemical properties of the gemstones, one of the largest group of gemstones is known by the name of the Garnets. In the simplest terms, Garnet is not the name of a single stone, but the name of a group of families, containing numerous gemstones. Hence, the Garnets can be termed as a clan.
The interesting fact about the gemstones counted amongst the Garnets is that they all somewhat differ in their composition, but have quite a similar structure. This structure always contains a silicate component, along with 2 other building components that vary from one family to the other. Few of these gems are quite famous and treasured, while the others are less known. The clan of the Garnet gem contains 6 families of gems, these are:
- Grossular
- Uvarovite
- Andradite
- Pyrope
- Almandine
- Spessartite
These 6 families are categorized into 2 groups, based upon their second component, other than Silicate, as the Aluminium and Calcium groups. The Calcium group or the Ugrandites contain Grossular, Uvarovite and Andradite. The rest Pyrope, Almandine and Spessartite belong to the Aluminium group or Pyralspites.
The Ugrandites
The natural loose garnets of this group are composed of Silica and Calcium, along with a 3 rd composing material. The gemstones of the Ugrandites are the lesser known ones.
- Grossular: What makes this family unique is the composition of its stones, as the gems of this family have both Aluminium and Calcium in their composition. The stones of Grossular family are found in the colors like brown, red yellow and green colors. This family gets its name from the fruit “Gooseberry”.
- Uvarovite: The gemstones of the Uvarovite family are quite rare. These gems are composed of Silica, Calcium and Chromium. Most of the gems of this family are derived from the mines of Russian Ural Mountains. The gems of the Uvarovite family are of bright green color.
- Andradite: The Andradite family gems are composed of Silica, Calcium and Iron. These gems have golden brown, black, green and yellow colors, depending upon the percentage of elements in their composition.
The Pyralspites
- Pyrope: A true Pyrope should be colorless, but due to the presence of impurities in the composition, the gems of this family are of red color. The compositing elements of these gems are Silica, Aluminium, Magnesium and Iron. An interesting fact about the Pyrope family is that is has ancient links with the Almandine and Uvarovite families.
- Almandine: The gemstones of this family are the most common type of loose garnet gems. These stones of the Almandine family have the proper signature red color of the Garnets, which comes from the composition of Silica, Aluminium, along with Iron.
- Spessartite: The gemstones of this family are of orange-red color. These gems have Silica, Aluminium and Manganese as their composing elements. The presence of Iron turns these gems red-orange; otherwise, these are light orange colored alluring gems.Author : He is an expert gemologist and work with GemPundit.He advises about gemstones related queries from user and has successful track record of servicing customers for more than 20 years