Garnets are a group of silicate minerals that are common in many parts of the world, frequently occurring as well-developed crystals. This fact, along with their availability in a wide array of colors, contributes to their widespread popularity as gemstones. The best-known varieties of garnet utilized for such purposes are almandine, which exhibits deep violet-red hues, and pryope, which is prized for its ruby-red color. Garnets are not only valued, however, for their beauty, but also for their considerable hardness, which makes them useful as abrasives.