Page:A treatise on diamonds and precious stones including their history Natural and commercial.djvu/149

 SECT. VI.

Of the Garnet.

color of the garnet varies from dark to light red or brown; the Syrian is considered the finest, and supposed to be the stone the ancients called the Carbuncle. It is always known by its peculiar color, and better by its great specific gravity. The finest varieties come from India, and some good specimens have been received from Greenland. When large, and free from flaws, they are worth from £2 to £5 or £6, and even more: but stones of this value are of rare occurrence, and always in demand.

garnets are never out of fashion, as they can always be worn in mourning. A century ago, a suit of them was considered a