Garnet: a mineral, a gem, an abrasive, a filter and more!
Garnet abrasive: This photo shows garnet granules that have been crushed and sizegraded for use as abrasive, cutting, and filter media. They are used in waterjet cutting, "sand" blasting, sandpaper, water filtration, and a number of other uses. Almandine is the hardest garnet and also the most abundant.