Red garnet is a classic collector mineral, typically found as well-formed dodecahedral or trapezohedral crystals in metamorphic schists. It is prized for its deep, rich red color and is frequently associated with mica, kyanite, and staurolite in regional metamorphic terranes.
Is this red garnet?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch red garnet with a known reference. Red Garnet sits at Mohs 6.5-7.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Red Garnet leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Red Garnet typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, dark red, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral or trapezohedral crystals.
Often confused with
Red Garnet vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside red garnet
Minerals reported to co-occur with red garnet. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- X₃Y₂(SiO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7.5
- Density
- 3.5-4.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Dodecahedral or Trapezohedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary, Abrasive
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks Like Schist and Gneiss
- Typical price
- $5-50 thumbnail, $50-300 cabinet
Where rockhounds find red garnet
3 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- USA
- India
- Madagascar
- Brazil
- Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks like schist and gneiss country — that is the host setting where red garnet typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, mica, kyanite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral or trapezohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Idaho — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find red garnet on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
