Garnets, a collective of silicate minerals, have been valued by humans since the Bronze Age. The term "garnet" is derived from the 14th-century Middle English word "gernet," meaning "dark red." These minerals exist in a spectrum of colors, with reddish shades being the most prevalent and blue garnets being the rarest.
The light transmission properties of garnet species span from gemstone-quality transparent specimens to opaque variations utilized for industrial purposes. The mineral's luster is classified as either resinous or vitreous.
