A garnet is a semi-precious gemstone that most commonly appears in deep red colors, though it can also be found in orange, yellow, green, and other shades. The red variety looks like a dark ruby and has been treasured for thousands of years in jewelry and decoration.

Garnets form deep underground under intense heat and pressure. When miners or rockhounds find them, they often look like small, glassy crystals embedded in rock. Ancient Egyptians used garnets in necklaces and rings, and warriors in some cultures believed garnets offered protection in battle.

The word also describes a dark red color similar to the gemstone. You might read about garnet curtains in a Victorian house or a garnet-colored sunset. The gemstone is the birthstone for January, meaning people born in that month traditionally receive garnet jewelry as gifts.

Interestingly, garnets are also used in sandpaper and other industrial tools because they're hard enough to grind and polish other materials. So while many people think of garnets only as beautiful stones for rings and necklaces, they're also working hard in workshops and factories, helping smooth rough surfaces and shape materials.