Garnet (var. Almandine)

This specimen features a well-formed almandine garnet crystal exhibiting excellent dodecahedral form. The crystal faces are coated with a thin inclusion of sand, giving them a distinctive sandy brown surface texture. Deep red tones distinct to almandine can be seen, but only if the crystal is put in an "Iron-out" bath or broken apart. The combination of sharp crystal form and natural surface coating give the crystal a distinct look.

Few localities in the province produce almandine crystals with such impressive well-developed form. The material originates from a re-discovered site just within the boundary of the Town of Bancroft, not far from Detlor Road, a locality that has yet to be listed on Mindat from what I can tell. It was collected by a colleague who runs the YouTube channel “Off the Beaten Path Crystals”, which documents mineral collecting adventures across Ontario. I highly suggest you watch his video about collecting at this site in the window below (and be sure to subscribe to his channel too!).