Pyrope is the only garnet whose most common source is igneous rather than metamorphic. Metamorphic pyrope comes from the metamorphism of the igneous rocks previously mentioned or from magnesium rich rocks subjected to high grade metamorphism. Almandine and pyrope form a series in which iron substitutes for the magnesium in pyrope. In fact, pure pyrope is unknown in nature and the various proportions are referred to as pyrope-almandine mixes. Pyrope is difficult to distinguish from almandine but is usually clear and free from flaws, at least more so than almandine.
Color is red to reddish purple and sometimes a deep enough red to appear black.
Luster is vitreous. Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent. Combinations of these forms are common and sometimes the rare faces of the hexoctahedron, a 48 sided crystal habit that rarely is seen by itself, can also combine with these other forms making very attractive, complex and multifaceted crystals. Massive and granular occurrences are also common. Cleavage is absent.