Natural Crystals: Garnet Cubic Crystal (Approx 2x2x1.5cm)

Garnet

X₃Z₂(TO₄)₃
X = Ca, Fe, etc., Z = Al, Cr, etc., T = Si, As, V, etc.

Garnet is the name given to a large, chemically complex family of stones; due to the complexity in trace elements garnets come in almost every colour imaginable, some being very rare. All the different types of garnets form according to an isometric crystal system and have a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale.