A cabinet specimen featuring numerous fairly large (to 20mm), lustrous andradite garnet crystals in dark brown to nearly black tones, displaying classic dodecahedral forms. The crystals are well formed and intergrown. While there is some bruising present, mostly around the periphery edges, the specimen remains a strong and very representative example from this well-known locality.
The piece originates from the extensive skarn zone of the Marmoraton Iron Mine near Marmora, Ontario. This former open-pit operation was active primarily from the 1950s until its closure in 1977 and is well known among collectors for producing a range of skarn minerals, including garnet, diopside, epidote, and axinite. Andradite from Marmoraton is particularly appreciated for its dark colour and sharp crystal form. Today, the site is partially water-filled, with some continued industrial use of the surrounding facilities, adding a modern chapter to the history of this classic Ontario locality.
