Garnet

Physical Properties

Garnet is the name given to a group of minerals related in composition and crystal structure. They occur in two isomorphous series. There is an extensive interchange of elements within each series and to a lesser extent between the two series. In one series X may be magnesium, iron or manganese while Y is always aluminium. In the other series, X is always calcium while Y may be chromium, aluminium or iron. They occur in a range of red, pink, violet, orange, brown, black, green and yellow colours. White is rare. There are colour change garnets too.
Chemical composition:
Pyrope: Magnesium aluminium silicate
Spessartine: Manganese aluminium silicate
Almandine: Iron aluminium silicate
Uvarovite: Calcium chromium silicate
Hessonite: Calcium aluminium silicate
Grossular: Calcium aluminium silicate
Andradite: Calcium iron silicate
Crystal structure: Cubic.
Hardness: 6.5 to 7.5

Metaphysical Properties and Crystal Healing

Strengthens, purifies, vitalises and regenerates body systems, especially the blood stream where it is also a good purifier, has strong affinity with root chakra, helping to harmonise the potent forces of the kundalini. Stimulates the pituitary gland, aligns subtle bodies. It is also strongly associated with the balancing of the sex drive and emotional disharmony, bringing love, compassion and an enhanced imagination. Green Garnet is recommended for those of us who need to improve our self confidence and increase our courage. It also assists in past life recall and attracts love. – Rhodolite: Helps with capillaries, skin elasticity and protection from pre-cancerous conditions. - Spessartine: Alleviates bad dreams, depression, anger, haemorrhages, hormone imbalances, inflammations and sexual disease.

In Astrology

Modern thought as well as Traditional Astrology assign garnet as a birthstone of the star sign Aquarius. Garnet is also the Ayurvedic Birthstone of Aquarius. Garnet is also assoicated with the zodiac sign Libra.
The famous mineralogist George Frederick Kunz in his 20th century book 'The Curious Lore of Precious Stones' associated Garnet with the Sun.

7 Chakras

Red Garnet: Muladhara - the Root Chakra ( 1 )
Yellow Garnet: Manipura - the Solar Plexus Chakra ( 3 )
Orange Spessartine Garnet: Swadhisthana - the Sacral or Navel Chakra ( 2 )
Green Grossular Garnet: Anahata, the Heart Chakra ( 4 )