Not only did gemmology introduce me to fascinating gems like tourmaline, zircon and spinel, it also revealed to me the amazing spectrum of colours that garnet can be found in. And the incredible fire and brilliance it can display. What a beautiful revelation it was to learn that good quality almandine garnet is, in fact, the most stunning deep and vivid red colour. A red to rival that of ruby and spinel, and not at all the brownish red hue that is so commonly seen. And who knew that garnets could be orange, green, reddish purple and even yellow?
