Garnet

Mostly known for the abundantly occurring, wine red pyropes and almandines, the garnet group is one of the largest mineral families, containing almost all of the colours of the rainbow, except blue. The chemical composition and properties vary widely in this fascinating group, from the super-rare bright green demantoid, rich mandarin orange spessartine and vivid pink malaya garnet. The birthstone for January, garnet is said to warm the heart.