garnet

gar·net

noun \ˈgär-nət\

Definition of GARNET

1

: a brittle and more or less transparent usually red silicate mineral that has a vitreous luster, occurs mainly in crystals but also in massive form and in grains, is found commonly in gneiss and mica schist, and is used as a semiprecious stone and as an abrasive

2

: a variable color averaging a dark red

— gar·net·if·er·ous \ˌgär-nə-ˈti-f(ə-)rəs\ adjective

Origin of GARNET

Middle English gernet, from Anglo-French gernete, from gernet dark red, from pume gernete pomegranate

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with GARNET

Barnet

garnet

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of a group of common silicate minerals with identical crystal structure but highly variable chemical composition. Garnets are most often found in metamorphic rocks but also occur in certain types of igneous rocks, and, usually in minor amounts, in some sedimentary rocks. They may be colourless, black, or many shades of red and green. Garnets are hard, and they fracture with sharp edges. They are used as abrasives for fine sanding and polishing of wood, leather, glass, metals, and plastics, as sandblasting agents, and in nonskid surface coatings. Garnet is the birthstone for January. Garnets have been mined in New York, Maine, and Idaho in the U.S., the world's leading producer; notable quantities have also been found in Australia, China, India, and elsewhere.