Hessonite

Hessonite is the orange-brown color variety of the grossular garnet category. Its color is due to the presence of manganese and iron inclusions. Grossular garnets occur in a wide range of colors from colorless to black. They derive their name from the first specimen ever found, a distinctive gooseberry-green color. Hessonite garnet is sometimes confused with Spessartine garnet.

Both the ancient Greeks and Romans made faceted gemstones, cameos, intaglios, and cabochons from Hessonite garnet for jewelry.

Occurrence

The best Hessonite is found in Sri Lanka in metamorphic rocks, or gem gravel and sands. In Madagascar, Hessonite garnet is sometimes referred to as cinnamon gemstone. Other localities include Brazil, Canada, Siberia (Russia), and Maine, California, and New Hampshire in the USA.

Hessonite Properties

• Specific Gravity: 3.65
• Refractive Index: 1.73-1.75
• Birefringence (DR): None
• Luster: Vitreous to resinous
• Crystal Structure: Cubic
• Composition: Calcium aluminum silicate
• Hardness: 7½

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