Almandine is generally darken red than pyrope and may appear black, although pinkish red specimens are found. It is usually opaque or sub translucent, but the rare transparent stones have high luster. Although dense, almandine is brittle and facet edges chip. Many stones show characteristic inclusions and four-rayed stars may be seen when the stones are cut and cabochon. The darken almandine are frequently cut as abrasives in garnet paper. The underside of dark almandine is often hollowed out to let lighter filter through the stone.

Almandine is found in metamorphic rocks, such as garnet mica schist, and less frequently in granites pegmatite's. It has a worldwide occurrence.

Slices of garnet have been used in windows in churches and temples, and legend has it that Noah suspended garnet in the ark in order to disperse light. Garnet was once said to cure melancholy and warm the heart.