While garnet is mostly known as a rich, red stone, garnet is actually a name used for a larger group of minerals that can occur in multiple colors. Hessonite garnet is a specific grossularite form of garnet most known for a warm, yellow to reddish tone. In Vedic astrology, hessonite garnet is an important stone associated with planet Rahu. Depending on the position of hessonite garnet amongst the other nine planetary gemstones when you are born, Rahu can be characterized as obsessed with worldly desires and instant gratification.

Garnet and its varieties, such as hessonite, have been used for adornment as well as healing in accordance with metaphysical beliefs. Garnet is more than just a pretty stone to look at. Garnets have been used for abrasive blasting material, waterjet cutting and water filtration.