Garnet granatum" or even "pomum granatum" ('pomegranate', "Punica granatum"), a plant whose fruits contain abundant and vivid red seed covers (arils), which are similar in shape, size, and color to some garnet crystals. Garnet species are found in many colors including red, orange, yellow, green, purple, brown, blue, black, pink, and colorless, with reddish shades most common. Garnet species' light transmission properties can range from the gemstone-quality transparent specimens to the opaque varieties used for industrial purposes as abrasives. The mineral's luster is categorized as vitreous (glass-like) or resinous (amber-like). Garnets are nesosilicates having the general formula "X""Y"(SiO). The "X" site
Yttrium aluminium garnet has low heat sensitivity. As a synthetic gemstone YAG has numerous varietal and trade names, as well as a number of misnomers. Synonymous names include: "alexite", "amamite", "circolite", "dia-bud", "diamite", "diamogem", "diamonair", "diamone", "diamonique", "diamonite", "diamonte", "di'yag", "geminair", "gemonair", "kimberly", "Linde simulated diamond", "nier-gem", "regalair", "replique", "somerset", "triamond", "YAIG", and "yttrium garnet". Production for the gem trade decreased after the introduction of synthetic cubic zirconia; there was little production. Some demand exists as synthetic garnet, and for designs where the very high refractive index of cubic zirconia is not desirable. Neodymium-doped YAG (Nd:YAG) was developed in the early 1960s, and