Almandine

Almandine is darker than pyrope garnet. It may even appear black, although pinkish-red specimens are found. It is usually opaque or sub-translucent. However, the rare transparent gemstones have a high luster. Although dense, almandine garnet is brittle and facet edges chip easily. Many gemstones show characteristic inclusions and four-rayed stars may be visible when the stones are cut en cabochon.

The darker almandine is frequently cut as cabochons or used as abrasives in the garnet paper. The underside of dark almandine garnet is often hollowed out to let more light filter through the gemstone. Moreover, the most common inclusions in almandine are needle-like crystals of rutile or hornblende.

Slices of garnet have been used in windows in churches and temples. The legend has it that Noah suspended garnet in the ark in order to disperse light. Garnet was once said to cure melancholy and warm the heart.

Occurrence

Almandine is found in metamorphic rocks, such as garnet mica schist, and less frequently in granitic pegmatites. It has a worldwide occurrence.

Almandine Properties

• Specific Gravity: 4.00
• Refractive Index: 1.76-1.83
• Birefringence (DR): None
• Luster: Vitreous
• Crystal Structure: Cubic
• Composition: Iron aluminum silicate
• Hardness: 7½

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