Garnet and Pearl EarringsRed garnets were the most popular gemstone in the later years of the Roman Empire. The word garnet comes from the Latin word for seedlike, granatus. This was a reference to their similar appearance to pomegranate seeds. Another characteristic of garnets is their high refractive index which gives onlookers the impression that the gem is emitting light. For thousands of years people have worn gemstones to heal, protect and inspire. Garnet in particular