Garnet is a generic name for a group of silicate minerals that exhibit isomorphic crystals. Though frequently utilized in abrasives, garnets are generally most well known as gemstones. The minerals occur in a wide array of colors that ranges from white, pink, and yellow to brown, burgundy, and red. Moreover, most types of garnet typically occur as well-developed crystals, making them well suited for cutting, though others may be commonly found in granular masses. Similar to sillimanite, garnets tend to be relatively brittle and do not tend to cleave along crystalline planes.
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