Coming from the Latin word “pyropos” meaning “similar to fire”, pyrope garnet gets its blood red color due to the iron and chromium content present in it. It hardly has inclusions and mostly the crystals are flawless. Unlike other varieties of garnet, pyrope doesn’t have cleavage and the fracture can be subconchoidal to uneven.

Locations:

Pyrope garnet comes from India, Madagascar, localities in Europe, Arizona and New Mexico, USA, South Africa and several Australian sites.

Chemical Composition: Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Crystal Structure: Cubic
Hardness: 7.5
Specific Gravity: 3.80
Refractive Index: 1.72-1.76
Colors: Blood red to black.
Luster: Vitreous

Astrological Relevance:

Being garnet, pyrope is also considered to be one of the birthstones for the month of January, which covers two zodiac signs: Capricorn (December 21 To January 21) and Aquarius (January 21 To February 21).

RHODOLITE GARNET:

Deriving from the Greek word meaning “rose” rhodolite garnet is an intermediate variety of garnet, which forms due to the combination of pyrope and almandine garnet. Rhodolite garnet exhibits beautiful color range from blood red to violet red with tones usually in the moderate to light categories.

Locations:

Rhodolite garnet comes from India, Madagascar, localities in Europe, Arizona and New Mexico, USA, South Africa and several Australian sites.

Chemical Composition: Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Crystal Structure: Cubic
Hardness: 7.5
Specific Gravity: 3.80-3.95
Refractive Index: 1.75-1.78
Colors: Light and moderate shades of blood red to violet red.
Luster: Vitreous

Astrological Relevance:

Being garnet, rhodolite is also considered to be one of the birthstones for the month of January, which covers two zodiac signs: Capricorn (December 21 To January 21) and Aquarius (January 21 To February 21).