Garnet is January's birthstone. Although best known for being red, it occurs in many different colours.
Due to its hardness, garnet has been used as an abrasive throughout history. It's still widely used for this purpose today.
It's one of only a few gemstones rarely heat-treated to enhance or change its colour.
Garnet, one of Earth's most common minerals, can withstand high temperatures and extreme pressure.
Red garnet was once known as 'carbuncle'. This ancient name described all blood-red, translucent gemstones cut as cabochons.
FOSSILISED CORAL
