HESSONITE
Specimen hes-2
$ 30.00Dims: 1.2 x 0.7 x 0.4" (3.1 x 1.9 x 1.1 cm)
Wt: 15 g w/ specimen box
Benchette Mountain, near Bellecomb, Aosta Valley, Italy
This thumbnail specimen consists of at least 20 Hessonite garnet crystals that rest on a crystalline diopside crust. These garnets do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in diameter and are generally in excellent condition. Their dodecahedral form is very good, though several are slightly warped due to intergrowth. All have the deep cinnamon-brown color and vitreous luster that are standard for their specie and are transparent and at least moderately clear. The diopside crust on which they rest contains scores of tiny, milky-white crystals that are in good condition and have good monoclinic form. The piece is firmly affixed inside a plastic specimen box.