GROSSULAR
Specimen gro-3

Dims: 1-7/8" x 1-3/4" x 1-1/4"

Wt: 2.3 oz

Sierra de Cruces, Coahuila, Mexico

These are something new from the realm of the taco. When I first saw these Grossular specimens from a distance of about 5 feet, I thought I was looking at yet another selection of crystalline Rhodocrosite, but no, I was fooled! These superb dodecahedral crystals are a bright pink color with clean faces and edges and noticeable damage on the larger crystals (which measure up to 1/2 inch in diameter). The pink color is deeper in these larger crystals, with damage occasionally showing a blackish core that the pink layer surrounds. The matrix, which resembles a decayed pegmatite, is cluttered with smaller crystals.

Dims: 1-5/8" x 1-1/2" x 1"

Wt: 1.2 oz

Sierra de Cruces, Coahuila, Mexico

Though the largest crystal in this specimen (measuring over 3/4 inch in diameter) is rather heavily damaged, this specimen has a smaller crystal that is in perfect condition with clean faces and edges and exceptional, bright pink color. The damage on the larger specimen shows a black-colored core; there actually seems to be a tiny gap between that core and the bright pink layer that surrounds it! I wonder if it would be possible to flake off that pink to expose the core, just to see what there is to see?

Dims: 7/8" x 1" x 1/4"

Wt: 7.3 g. w/ base

Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada

This is an exceptional little Grossular garnet specimen for two reasons: first, it comes from the Jeffrey Mine, a famous Canadian locality for a variety of silicates, and second, it has a splendid, subtle color! The largest of the 5 crystals that make up the specimen is about 3/16" in diameter. All of the crystals have near-perfect transparency, with few, if any, inclusions or internal flaws. They rest on a pale blue-green matrix that looks a lot like a thin slab of amazonite feldspar. Fianlly, their color is the palest peach that you will ever see! Steve won't let me buy this until it's been on the net for a while; I don't want to wait!

Dims: 3" x 2" x 1-1/2"

Wt: 7.08 oz

Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada

Talk about splendid! Here we have a generous spread of pale cinnamon-colored Grossular garnets- they are not quite orange enough to be considered hessonites. They are near gem-quality, though, with excellent transparency and few inclusions or flaws. Their shape is a complex variation of the dodecahedron that almost makes me think of the term "inverted hopper-crystal"-- in other words, the secondary faces that surround the primary ones are gently stepped a bit(see the close-up image). This is a gorgeous specimen!

Dims: 1-3/4" x 1-3/8" x 1"

Wt: 20.7 g

Sierra de Cruces, Coahuila, Mexico

There are at least a dozen bright pink Grossular garnets in the matrix on this specimen. Some occur individually, and several are bunched together in a few clusters. All of them seem to have been formed in clusters, though, because none have a perfect or complete dodecahedral form. The three largest crystals(measuring 3/8" to 1/2" in diameter) are damaged, as are several of the smaller ones. The matrix seems to be calcium-rich, as an acid was used to expose the garnets. This is probably an appropriate gift for the budding collector with a thing for garnets.

Dims: 2-1/8" x 1-3/4" x 1-1/4"

Wt: 1.47 oz

Sierra de Cruces, Coahuila, Mexico

Although only a dozen or so of these bright pink Grossular garnets are visible, the ones that are deserve some attention. The largest crystal measures approx. 1/2" in diameter, with 2 crystals nearby measuring slightly less, and several that range in size from 1/4" to 1/16" in diameter. One of the three largest crystals is heavily damaged, exposing its black core, but the others show only minor damage to corners or small variations on growth due to clustering. All rest on a matrix that has been eroded with an acid solution. This piece has some of the nicer pink garnets that we have available.

Dims: 2-1/2" x 2" x 1-1/4"

Wt: 2.08 oz

Sierra de Cruces, Coahuila, Mexico

The surface of this Mexican specimen is littered with Grossular garnets that range in color from pale to deep, intense pink. Many of them are damaged, including several that have been cleaved in half, showing the mysterious black cores that these often possess, but several are complete and undamaged, showing excellent dodecahedral form. Most of them are gathered together in clusters, but a few here and there have formed individually. They range in size from 3/8" to 1/16" or smaller, and rest on a bed of white rock that has been eroded with an acid solution.

Dims: 4-1/8" x 2-1/8" x 1-7/8"

Wt: 8.0 oz

Sierra de Cruces, Coahuila, Mexico

This specimen is littered with cloven fragments of pink Grossular garnet crystals on its surface. Actually, the only complete crystals are actually the largest, each measuring between 5/8" and 3/4" in diameter. Each has a bright pink, translucent, dodecahedral shell whose surface shows noticeable damage, especially where edges meet. These shells surround black cores at the center of each crystal. These crystals and the surrounding fragments rest on a brown and white bed of what looks like a decayed pegmatite, but definitely has a high calcium content. Actually, this specimen is perfect for someone who likes to "clean up" rough specimens-- there are likely many more crystals below the surface that could be exposed with judicious applications of an acid solution.

Dims: 1.88" x 1.44" x 1.69"(4.8 x 1.44 x 1.69)

Wt: 8.0 oz

Wah Wah Mountains, Beaver County, Utah, U.S.A.

This is one of the weirder garnet specimens that I have examined. It comes from the Famous Wah Wah Mountains in Utah, where the extremely rare and valuable red beryl is found. It is certainly in the same type of host rock, a whitish shale. The Grossular crystal is in a dodecahedral form that is warped from intergrowth with a few smaller crystals. It is colored a pale green and has suffered considerable damage to one side; however, this damage has actually revealed(but not quite exposed) a darker green "core" that instantly made me think of those found in damaged pink grossulars from Mexico. This core is a bit more subtle than the Mexican ones, though, and would likely be invisible if the crystal were undamaged, as it is translucent but quite cloudy. The crystal has dimensions of 7/8 x 1/2 x 3/4"(2.2 x 1.3 x 1.9 cm) and its undamaged faces have a pearly to waxy luster. There are a few shattered portions of much smaller crystals around the larger one, and may be more inside the matrix, who can tell?

Dims: 1.81" x 1.13" x 1"(4.6 x 2.9 x 2.5)

Wt: 1.22 oz.(34.6 g)

Bishop, Inyo County, California, U.S.A.

A bed of lovely cinnamon-colored crystals, this specimen reminds me of those from the Jeffrey Quarry in Quebec, Canada. The faces on these crystals are much smoother and better defined though, with no stepped-down secondary faces. Their luster is vitreous and they seem to have a complex trapezohedral form that borders on pyritohedral. They have visible transparency, but have lots of internal fractures. Unfortunately, the specimen has been damaged and repaired, as is evident from the glue that is visible on the back of the piece. The host that they are attached to seems to be made up of compressed bits of garnet mixed with maybe a hornblende or epidote. It's a very pretty specimen that should be handled with care due to the base's crumbly nature.

Dims: 0.9" x 0.5" x 0.3"(2.3 x 1.3 x 0.8 cm)

Wt: 4.9 g w/ specimen box

Musse-Alpe, Ala-Tal, Piedmont, Italy

Though not quite of fine gem-quality, these garnets can truly be called Hessonite Grossulars. They have a brown-orange color that is not quite cinnamon. The largest of the crystals in the cluster measures about 1/4"(6 mm) in diameter, is damaged and incomplete, and has some very bizarre veil-like inclusions, the likes of which I have never before seen in a garnet! The smaller crystals are clearer and have less damage, although only portions of each crystal show transparence. All possess the dodecahedral form that is common for garnets and have vitreous luster. Together they make up a crust which is basically what makes up the specimen. The underside of the crust also shows the faces of many garnet crystals, but has not been well cleaned. It is on this face that the specimen has been glued into a plastic specimen box.

Dims: 2.3" x 1.7" x 1.6" (5.8 x 4.3 x 4.1 cm)

Wt: 4.96 oz. (140.5 g)

Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada

THis specimen is more than 50% Grossular by weight. It consists of a small amount of a biotite-laden igneous rock that is nearly covered with thick crusts of intergrown crystals. These crystals occur in a well-defined dodecahedral form and are heavily striated by "steps" that truncate the edges between rhombic faces on each crystal. The crystals range in diameter from 2 mm to 0.4" (1.0 cm), and are generally in good condition, though there is noticeable damage to several of them and severe damage to a few. They have a moderately pale cinnamon coloration and a vitreous luster. They are all transparent, and most are very clear; several are gem-quality, with an almost "hessonite" color. One of these crusts filled a crevice between two sections of host rock. Though they have the proper color and good luster, and definable "crystal" faces, their form is nonexistent. The specimen as a whole, though, is very attractive and could conceivably be used as a source of gem material.

Dims: 1.4 x 0.6 x 0.6" (3.6 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 12.8 g

Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada

At least 12 dodecahedral Grossular garnets rest on the sparse host rock of this thumbnail specimen. The garnets form a crust that covers part of the host, and most of the damage to this crust has occurred to those crystals along its edges. They range in diameter from less than 0.1" (3 mm) to 0.4" (1.0 cm) and have excellent form, with well-defined edges and striated but clean faces that possess the standard vitreous luster. Their pale cinnamon color makes them almost worthy of being called "Hessonites", but I do not think that they are quite the right color. They are transparent and quite clear, though all appear to contain internal fractures. I cannot easily identify the host rock, though it definitely contains feldspar and biotite.

Dims: 1.2 x 0.9 x 0.6" (3.0 x 2.3 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 17.1 g

Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada

This thumbnail specimen consists entirely of a cluster of heavily-intergrown Grossular garnet crystals. These crystals range in diameter from less than 0.1" (3 mm) to 0.5" (1.3 cm) and are generally in good condition, though a few show considerable damage. All have excellent dodecahedral form with well-defined and subtly stepped edges and clean faces that possess the standard vitreous luster. They have a pale cinnamon coloration and are transparent and quite clear, though most contain a few internal fractures. There is no host rock present, which makes me think that this piece was part of a druse that was broken off.

Dims: 1.4 x 1.2 x 1.0" (3.6 x 3.0 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 1.23 oz. (35.0 g)

Sierra de Cruces, Coahuila, Mexico

At least 8 Grossular crystals rest in the host rock of this thumbnail specimen. All but 2 are damaged, and most of these are broken and incomplete. The largest of these is also damaged and broken, and measures about 0.7" (1.8 cm) in diameter. Where intact, they have excellent dodecahedral form with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a pearly-to-vitreous luster. All are translucent and cloudy. Their color is a deep pink, though some of the larger crystals are darker due to the presence of a black "core" within them. The damage on the largest Grossular has exposed this core, which has a basically black color and greenish highlights. I do not know exactly what the host rock is made of.

Dims: 1.8 x 1.4 x 1.1" (4.5 x 3.5 x 2.7 cm)

Wt: 1.3 oz. (37 g)

Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada

This hand specimen consists of white, calcareous base on which rests a cluster of small Grossular garnets. These garnets are in good condition, showing light to moderate damage, and reach diameters of no more than 0.1" (3 mm). All have very good dodecahedral form, given their intergrowth, and show a nearly emerald-green coloration and the standard vitreous luster. They are transparent but only dimly clear due to inclusions and flaws. The base rock is affixed to an acrylic base with a hot glue.

Dims: 1.6 x 1.5 x 0.7" (4.2 x 3.7 x 1.7 cm)

Wt: 0.8 oz. (21 g) w/ base

Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada

This hand piece consists of a mass of gray-green base rock on which rest several Grossular clusters. These clusters are made up of many Grossular dodecahedrons that do not exceed 0.1" (2-3 mm) but are in excellent condition, showing almost no damage. All have excellent form and are transparent and moderately clear, showing a color that ranges from pale olive to pale emerald green. Their luster is, of course, vitreous. A small amount of possible fluorite also rests on the base rock, which is hot-glued to the acrylic base.

Dims: 1.6 x 0.9 x 0.4" (4.0 x 2.4 x 1.0 cm)

Wt: 0.4 oz. (12 g)

Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada

This lovely little hand specimen consists of a druse of heavily intergrown Grossular garnet crystals. These crystals are in excellent condition, showing no damage, and reach visible dimensions of 0.4 x 0.3 x 0.2" (9 x 7 x 6 mm). All have excellent dodecahedral form and a pale brown-orange coloration - such garnets with a brighter, richer color might be referred to as hessonites in the gem world. All have very smooth faces and a bright vitreous luster, and are transparent and quite clear. A thin layer of possible syenite coats the underside of the druse.

Dims: 1.8 x 0.9 x 0.6" (4.6 x 2.4 x 1.4 cm)

Wt: 0.5 oz. (13 g)

Black Lake Mine, Thetford, Quebec, Canada

Several dozen tiny Grossular garnets rest on the white matrix of this small hand specimen. These Grossulars are in excellent condition, showing almost no damage, and reach maximum diameters of 0.1" (3 mm). All have excellent dodecahedral form and a beautiful emerald-green color and vitreous luster. They are transparent and dimly to moderately clear due to inclusions. Actually, they resemble emeralds in the fact that some of these inclusions are dark, and there are even some tiny metallic sulfide crystals among them, though they do not appear to be pyrite. There are crevices and small hollows in the host rock which, upon close examination with a loupe, contain more Grossulars.

Dims: 1.5 x 0.9 x 0.9" (3.9 x 2.4 x 2.4 cm)

Wt: 0.7 oz. (20 g)

Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada

This thumbnail piece consists of a crumbly, gray base rock that is coated with a crust of intergrown Grossular garnets. These garnets are generally in excellent condition and range in diameter from less than 0.1" (3 mm) to nearly 0.3" (7 mm). All have dodecahedral form and show fine patterning that parallels each edge. Their color ranges from a very pale to a moderate cinnamon-brown color and their luster is vitreous. All are transparent and moderately to very clear. The specimen is affixed to a small acrylic base.

Dims: 1.0 x 0.7 x 0.6" (2.5 x 1.8 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 0.5 oz. (14 g) w/ base

Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada

This thumbnail piece consists of a partial crust of intergrown Grossular crystals. These crystals are in good condition; though the crystals show considerable damage, this damage is old and partly healed. The crystals that make up the crust show the standard dodecahedral form, though their edges are truncated through stepping. They vary in diameter from 0.1-0.5" (0.3-1.3 cm) and show the classic cinnamon-brown color and vitreous luster of the specie. They are all transparent and moderately to very clear. The piece is affixed to an acrylic base.

Dims:2.0x1.7x1.5" (5.1x4.3x3.8 cm)

Wt: 2.4oz. (68g)

Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada

Six peach-colored crystals of grossular rest on a bed of fine diopside blades in this specimen. Five of the crystals are intergrown; the largest crystal is solitary. All of these crystals are transparent and gemmy. This is really a beautiful specimen. There is no damage to this piece.

Dims:2.6x2.4x2.4" (6.6x6.1x6.1 cm)

Wt: 8.3oz. (234g)

Sierra del Couces, Sonora, Mexico

The matrix of this specimen is host to many raspberry-colored dodecahedral grossular crystals. These crystals reach 0.5" (1.3cm) across. They are somewhat translucent when held up to a bright light. One of the larger crystals at the base of the piece is chipped. Otherwise, there does not appear to be any damage.

Dims: 1.4x1.0x0.9" (3.5x2.5x2.2 cm)

Wt: 0.59oz. (10.7g)

Sierra del Couces, Sonora, Mexico

This specimen consists of 3 or 4 larger raspberry-colored dodecahedral grossular crystals, along with a dozen or more tiny ones, on an unidentified matrix. The two largest crystals are intergrown, and have good form and appearance. They are somewhat translucent when held up to a bright light. One of the larger crystals is chipped on one edge (showing a conchoidal fracture pattern). Otherwise, there does not appear to be any significant damage - the white spots that appear to be chips are surface appearances of internal flaws, or other crystals in cavities. The largest such cavity contains tiny distinct orange crystals.

Dims: 1.3x1.0x0.9" (3.6x2.4x2.2 cm)

Wt: 0.74 oz. (21.1 g)

Sierra Del Couces, Sonoro, Mexico

While this thumbnail specimen of grossular garnet consists of dozens of crystals intergrown with the host rock, only 6 or so are larger than 5mm, and all of the larger crystals exhibit some damage. Still, the crystals are well shaped, and this specimen not only has garnets that are pink, there are some small orange ones, too (you need a loupe to see them clearly).

Dims: 1.30x0.74x0.42" (3.31x1.87x1.07cm)

Wt: 0.34oz (9.6g)

Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada

This grossular garnet specimen has a nice honey color and decent crystalization. They are transparent and have the typical vitreous luster. Many of the crystals have surface pits or missing tips, which I interpret as contact surfaces with other minerals instead of simple damage. There is damage around the edges which reveals as fracture surfaces, and my loupe indicates that the tips and pits mentioned have a different appearance. There are at least three other minerals present, including a layer of biotite mica, some gray rectangular prismatic crystals with a silky surface in places that looks like scapolite or possibly diopside. There is also a green translucent mineral which does not show crystal shapes and I cannot identify.

Dims: 1.14x0.76x0.48" (2.91x1.94x1.22cm)

Wt: 0.16oz (4.6g)

Black Lake Mine, Thetford, Quebec, Canada

This specimen display about a hundred tiny green crystals of tsavorite, the green variety of grossular garnet. The crystals are tiny, but have excellent form, deep green color, and they are also transparent but with many internal fractures to mar their clarity. They are embedded in a matrix of diopside crystals which looks massive and porous but a loupe reveals it as intergrown granular and prismatic crystals.

dims mm=20.61x14.42x12.42

wt g=4.9

Black Lake Mine, Thetford, Quebec, Canada

This is an intricately shaped cluster of tiny green grossular garnet crystals. The individual crystals are perfectly shaped and transparent with a vitreous luster. Small amounts of the calcerious host rock are still attached, making the specimen appear a lighter color than the grossular really is.