Garnet takes its name from the Latin "granate" meaning seed. This moniker is an allusion to the red variety of the gemstone's likeness in color to the pomegranate seed, but garnets actually occur in all colors with the exception of blue. The red and purplish varieties of the mineral (pyrope and almandine) are the most common in the family and thereby the most popular and frequently used in jewelry. These lovely 18th century floral cluster earrings each feature flat cut almandine garnets set in silver and suspended from newer gold wires.