Garnet can be used as an abrasive in industrial purposes such as water jet cutting and sand blasting. Garnets are found in metamorphous sedimentary and igneous rock forms. Garnet sand is found typically in mineral rich sands on the surface of the beaches along the coastlines of many countries such as Australia, Sri Lanka and India.
Garnet sand is used in industrial applications such as sand blasting, high pressure water jet cutting, making of sand paper and a number of other uses. Garnets are originally found in form of tiny particles, over time with the process of metamorphism they develop to be larger, and are used as gemstones. Garnet mining in India is very prevalent in Tamil Nadu and Kerala along the southern coast. The Gulf of Mannar has a lot of mineral rich sand deposits which are mined and contribute greatly to the state economy.
The main application of Garnets is in water jet cutting of materials like steel and stainless steel, non-ferrous metals, granite and marble, but also rubber and glass. Fine garnet dust is used in the detailed finishing and polishing of optical lens, plate glass, and semiconductor materials. Because garnet is chemically stable, it is also used as a filtering medium for water purification systems or wastewater treatment plants.
