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Spessartine Garnet

Spessartine

A species of Garnet Group, Also known as Mandarin Garnet, Kashmirine, Erinite (of Van Der Lingen), Spessartite Garnet

The remarkable appearance of spessartine Garnet creates a memorable rock experience, as it is a close relative to garnet. The name bestowed upon this beautiful rock comes from the Spessart Mountains in Germany, the location of the first discovery of these beauties. It is also called "Garnet of the Sun." They polish up beautifully and are a popular choice for ornamental jewelry.

Semi-precious gemstone

Hardness:

6.5 - 7.5

Density:

4.19 g/cm³

General Info About Spessartine Garnet

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Physical Properties of Spessartine Garnet

Luster

Vitreous

Diaphaneity

Transparent to translucent

Colors

Red, reddish orange, yellowish brown, reddish brown, brown

Magnetism

Non-magnetic

Tenacity

Brittle

Cleavage

None

Fracture

Subconchoidal

Streak

White

Crystal System

Isometric

Hardness

6.5 - 7.5 , Hard to Extremely hard

Density

4.19 g/cm³, Obviously Heavy Weight

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Chemical Properties of Spessartine Garnet

Chemical Classification

Silicates

Formula

Mn²⁺₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃

Elements listed

Al, Mn, O, Si

Common Impurities

Ti, Fe, Mg, Ca, H₂O, Y

Optical Properties of Spessartine Garnet

Refractive Index

1.789-1.820

Dispersion

0.027

Optical Character

Isotropic

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Rarity

Rare

Characteristics of Spessartine Garnet

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Rock Types of Spessartine Garnet

Spessartine of an orange-yellow has been called Mandarin garnet and is found in Madagascar. Violet-red spessartines are found in rhyolites in Colorado and Maine. In Madagascar, spessartines are exploited either in their bedrock or in alluvium. The orange garnets result from sodium-rich pegmatites. Spessartines are found in bedrock in the highlands in the Sahatany valley. Those in alluvium are generally found in southern Madagascar or in the Maevatanana region.

Spessartine forms a solid solution series with the garnet species almandine. Well-formed crystals from this series, varying in color from very dark-red to bright yellow-orange, were found in Latinka, Rhodope Mountains, Kardzhali Province, Bulgaria. Spessartine, like the other garnets, always occurs as a blend with other species. Gems with high spessartine content tend toward a light orange hue, while almandine prevalence induces red or brownish hues.

Formation of Spessartine Garnet

It occurs most often in granite pegmatite and allied rock types and in certain low-grade metamorphic phyllites.

Cultural Significance of Spessartine Garnet

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Uses of Spessartine Garnet

Spessartine Garnet is a garnet that is most commonly used as a gemstone in jewelry. These gems are primarily used in rings and pendants, but also in bracelets and other jewelry. Interesting crystal formations of this mineral are also kept by collectors.