Garnet

Garnet is actually one of the most complex gemstones, not necessarily because of its chemical structure but its ability to swap out different minerals in its structure which is called substitution and creating new species of itself, which is super impressive. Although most people associate it with a blood red color it actually comes in a few different colors but most notably red, purple, orange and green

Unlike most gems which are colored by a mineral impurity, Garnets are colored primarily by their own chemical structure in which one of the minerals in its structure can be substituted for another mineral creating a different color. The different colors of garnet fall under different names like Tsavorite, Rhodolite, Spessartite etc.

Hardness: 6.5 – 7.5
Composition: A₃B₂(SiO₄)₃ – Can change slightly