What is the Definition of Garnet?

Garnets possess similar physical properties and crystal compositions. They are usually used to make coated abrasives. The low price is there advantage.

The different species are pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular. The garnets make up two solid solution series: pyrope-almandine-spessarite and uvarovite-grossular-andradite.
Garnet species are found in many colors including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, pink and colorless.

Because the chemical composition of garnet varies, the atomic bonds in some species are stronger than in others. As a result, this mineral group shows a range of hardness on the Mohs scale of about 6.5-7.5. The harder species, like almandine, are often used for abrasive purposes.