Color is a very subjective thing, and computer monitors and their variables make it even more so when comparing things online. I just spent some time searching through Google images for examples of "mahogany bay" (the most applicable examples to be seem to be horses) and "garnet", which was used by NM herself to describe the color she was looking for.
Even garnets vary in color. Just Google "Garnet Gem" and click on the Images tab to see what I mean. So your idea of the right color of garnet and mine might be different. Same with "mahogany bay."
And honestly, even though we have things that NM wrote, it doesn't mean we can see with her eyes, nor conjure her up with a Ouiji board to be 100% sure what she meant. So we have to breed to the color we think most closely interprets the current Standard (or so I do), and attempt to reach uniformity in our flocks and pens. That's my goal, anyway.
Even garnets vary in color. Just Google "Garnet Gem" and click on the Images tab to see what I mean. So your idea of the right color of garnet and mine might be different. Same with "mahogany bay."
And honestly, even though we have things that NM wrote, it doesn't mean we can see with her eyes, nor conjure her up with a Ouiji board to be 100% sure what she meant. So we have to breed to the color we think most closely interprets the current Standard (or so I do), and attempt to reach uniformity in our flocks and pens. That's my goal, anyway.