Superior 10x8mm Garnet, 9ct Gold Ring. Garnet is a complex crystal family, with a number of varieties based on particular colours caused by particular elements. The wine-red of Almandine Garnet, of which the above is a good example, is caused by iron content; the bright green of Demantoid Garnet is brought about by the presence of chromium, etc. etc.
The above wine-red Garnet type has been a popular gemstone for a very long time, noted as being used in jewellery as far back as the Ancient Egypt of 3500 years ago. In modern times it became known as an attractive, relatively inexpensive, semi-precious gemstone, and India has been, and still is, the main source for this gemstone.
But all good things come to an end, or taper towards it. It is now difficult to source Almandine Garnet of fine quality, of good colour, clear and translucent.  So much of it is now murky, lacking fine wine-red clarity and depth.
The above Garnet gemstone was mined, cut and purchased decades ago, in the late 1980s. It is AGrade quality.