I was curious enough about these just to order a strand. Don't expect a red/black matrix. The garnet is more of a brown hue against the black arfvedsonite. The arfvedsonite is, of course, shiny, which provides an interesting contrast against the flatter garnet material. You will appreciate these more when you take a good look at them in the sunlight. I like stones that tend to be mixed with other things, so these are interesting. Thanks again! :-)