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ALMANDITE

Overview:

Almandite is the most common of the garnets and is usually the garnet found in garnet schists. Although only a small amount of this mineral is fit for gem use, it is nevertheless a popular gem. It is the most widely used Garnet in the gem trade. More gems are faceted from Almandite than any other type of Garnet.

Well formed Almandite crystals are very popular among mineral collectors.Almandite has a brilliant luster, but its transparency is frequently marred, even in very clear stones, by excessive depth of color.



Usage:

Almandite is said to be particularly useful for strengthening the heart, to inspire love and to perceive truth.

Some Almandine garnets display asterism when polished as cabochons. Such specimens are known as "Star Garnets".

Physical Properties:

Almandite

Almandite–Gemini

Color
deep red–violet, red, brownish–red and brownish–black
Hardness
7.0 – 7.5.
Specific Gravity
3.95–4.32
refractive index
1.75–1.83

Legend:

The name Almandite comes from the word "carbunculus alabandicus" after the city of Alabanda in Asia Minor, where gems were traded at the time of Pliny the Elder.

Occurence:

Almandite occurs in India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Brazil,Wrangel Alaska, Germany, and Norway. Some Almandine garnets display asterism when polished as cabochons. Such specimens are known as "Star Garnets".

Sign of Ametrine: Gemini

Symbolic Gemstone: 18th Wedding Anniversary.