Garnet Market Set to Surge Significantly by 2021

Garnets market are very important minerals and are primarily used to make gemstones. They are also extensively used in all forms of jewelry. Garnets also have extensive industrial applications and garnet sand is used as replacement for silica sand in sand blasting. Garnet sand can be mixed with high pressure water and be used to cut steel and stainless steel, non-ferrous metals, rubber, glass and other materials in water jets.

Preferably garnet extracted from hard rock is used for abrasive purposes. The toughness and hardiness of garnet improves the efficiency of garnet in blasting and reduces the break down percentage on impact. Garnet is also applicable for surface cleaning in petrochemical industry and ship building industry among others. Garnet paper has been extensively used by cabinet makers and craftsmen to finish bare wood. Generally almandine and grossularite are only used for manufacture of abrasives such as garnet paper.

The global demand for gem and jewelry will be key driving factors for the garnet market. The gem and jewelry industry has witnessed significant growth over the years, especially in the emerging markets. The demand for garnet is also growing for industrial applications as garnet is inert, non toxic, and environment friendly unlike silica sand or quartzite. There are number of natural and synthetic materials which could be used in place of garnet for abrasive purposes such as staurolite, diamond and corundum among others. The use of substitutes, labor cost and rising inflation could also hamper the growth of garnet industry.

The Asia Pacific is one the key markets of the garnet industry apart from North America. China, India, Russia and Turkey and Australia are the most important markets in the Asia Pacific. Currently India leads the way in production of garnet followed by China, Australia and the U.S.