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How to Locate Red Garnet Stones

Garnets are highly prized for both gemstones and for industrial uses. They are one of the most common minerals and have been used as gemstones since prehistoric times. Garnets can be any color, but the most common color is red.

Amateur rockhounds can find garnets with relative ease. Garnets are found in metamorphic rocks which are rocks that have been subjected to intense pressure and high heat. Common rocks that garnets are found in include gneiss, amphibolite, and schist. Garnets are typically found in alluvium, a loose mixture of the metamorphic rocks, clay, sand and gravel.

Things You'll Need

Maps
Old clothes
Hiking boots
Shovel
Pail

Instructions

- 1
  Locate the nearest garnet areas using the United States Geological Survey maps under Resources and searching for "garnet" in the search box. There are 21 states that have garnet deposits.
- 2
  Get permission to look for rocks on the land you want to search. If it's private land, you will need to get permission from the landowner. If you plan to search on public land, check with the governing body's rules for taking minerals.
- 3
  Look for alluvial deposits. These deposits are typically eroded enough by water that you may be able to find garnets on top or within a few inches of the surface.
- 4
  Look for unpolished red rocks with some translucent properties. Garnets are easy to spot as they are red or dark red and have some translucency.

Gemology