Garnet vs. Garnierite — What's the Difference?

Garnets ( ) are a group of silicate minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. All species of garnets possess similar physical properties and crystal forms, but differ in chemical composition.

Garnierite is a general name for a green nickel ore which is found in pockets and veins within weathered and serpentinized ultramafic rocks. It forms by lateritic weathering of ultramafic rocks and occurs in many nickel laterite deposits in the world.

Any of several common, widespread aluminum or calcium silicate minerals occurring in two internally isomorphic series, (Mg, Mn, Fe)3Al2Si3O12 and Ca3(Cr, Al, Fe)2Si3O12, generally crystallized, often embedded in igneous and metamorphic rocks, and colored red, brown, black, green, yellow, or white and used both as gemstones and as abrasives.

A pale green or apple-green mineral, (Ni, Mg)3Si2O5(OH)4, used as a gemstone and as an important nickel ore.

A dark to very dark red.

(mineral) A green nickel ore found in fissures of weathered ultramafic rocks

(mineral) A hard transparent mineral that is often used as gemstones and abrasives.

An amorphous mineral of apple-green color; a hydrous silicate of nickel and magnesia. It is an important ore of nickel.

A dark red color, like that of the gemstone.

A green mineral consisting of hydrated nickel magnesium silicate; a source of nickel

Of a dark red colour.

A mineral having many varieties differing in color and in their constituents, but with the same crystallization (isometric), and conforming to the same general chemical formula. The commonest color is red, the luster is vitreous, and the hardness greater than that of quartz. The dodecahedron and trapezohedron are the common forms.

A tackle for hoisting cargo in or out.

Any of a group of hard glassy minerals (silicates of various metals) used as gemstones and as an abrasive