Andradite (var. Melanite)

This specimen consists of a group of intergrown dark, black, andradite garnets featuring sharp dodecahedral faces and high lustre. Price reduced because the middle crystal has a slight bruise on its tip. A nice, sharp specimen none-the-less.
This is an example of one of three types of andradite garnet, namely the variety Melanite, named after the Greek word "melanos", meaning black, due to the presence of Titanium. These interpenetrating dodecahedral crystals occur in skarn zones in contact metamorphosed, impure limestones. The matrix is composed of massive albite, a plagioclase feldspar mineral. From the famous Draa-Tafilalet region of Morocco.

DDJ