HESSONITE
Specimen hes-1
$ 60.00Dims: 0.7 x 0.4 x 0.4" (1.8 x 1.0 x 0.9 cm)
Wt: 2 g
Benchette Mountain, near Bellecombe, Aosta Valley, Italy
This intriguing specimen consists of a few partly-intergrown Hessonite garnets that are intergrown near the termination of a vesuvianite crystal. The largest garnet measures 0.2" (5 mm) in diameter and like the others, is in good condition- the cluster shows light damage. They generally show a lightly warped dodecahedral form with secondary faces and have a deep, orange-brown coloration and vitreous luster. Even with their deep color, they are noticeably transparent under normal light and appear to be quite clear. The vesuvianite crystal to which they are attached measures 0.6" (1.5 cm) in length, is in good condition, and has reasonably good though warped tetragonal prismatic form. The piece is affixed inside a plastic thumbnail box with a removable putty.