Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Research geographic areas where garnets have been previously found. Garnets can be found many places throughout the world, but typically only in certain locations. The U.S. Geological Survey provides a good guide on where to search for them in the United States (a link is provided in the References section).
Look for deposits of metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rock has layers caused by the temperature of geothermal activity and the pressure of being buried. Look for rock that has layers like a marbled rye bread.
Find igneous rock. Igneous rocks are created by old lava flows. Most of the rocks on the planet are made of igneous rock, and garnets can still be made and found in igneous veins.
Search for limestone. Limestone is sedimentary rock, meaning it is the sediment left by water. Heated and pressurized limestone is how most garnets are created.
Look for evidence of old waterways. Water is essential to the formation of many garnets. Look for smooth, rocky surfaces that have been eroded by old rivers and have cracks where the water may have seeped into the metamorphic rock. Many places you will find garnets may still be very wet and muddy (in Montana, for instance).
Check in riverbeds or creek beds near where garnets should be found. These garnets may have much of the sedimentary rock removed due to alluvial processing. They may be easy to spot and will be rounded due to the wear of the flowing water.