CHISOM IBEMERE
The word Garnet originates from the Greek word “granatum” which is the ancients of the ruby pearls of the Pomegranate. It is believed to be a means of protection and lights during the nights.
Garnet is widely spread across the earth and it varies in colour which are region specific. The most popular and Ample type of Garnet is the red Garnet.
Garnet can be seen in different shapes of round and oval and are durable and affordable. Garnet occurs mostly in metamorphic rocks and also seen in lesser quantity in Igneous rocks.
Garnet can have traces of other rocks and minerals and iron-rich Garnets can be weathered mostly to rusty masses which constitutes mainly of Limonite. Groups of Garnets can be relatively resistant to weathering process. Hence, they are found in sandy Sediments and sandstones. The common minerals found in Garnet groups are mainly Almandine, Pyrope, Andradite, Grossular and Uvarovite.
Garnet can be used in abrasives like Sandpaper because of it’s ability to be crushed to irregular grains. They are perfect for Gemstones. They are used in water jet cutting in the industries.
Different varieties of garnet are mined in Nigeria which are found in Komu in Oyo state and in Jos-Bauchi.