Garnet was once believed to cure melancholy and to warm the heart. Slice of garnets have been used in windows in religious places. Almandine is generally darker than Pyrope and appears black. Pinkish red color also found. Rare transparent stones have high lustre. Normally it is opaque and translucent. Characteristic inclusions can be seen in many stones. When cut in cabochon 4 rayed stars may be seen.

Darker almandine cut as cabochons or used to abrasives in garnet paper. It is found in metamorphic rocks (Garnet Mica shist) and sometimes in granitic pegmatites. Found in world wide. When cutting and polishing, this gemstone can be cut as Cabochon and mixed.