16.8.5: Spessartite

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gemology
Gemology Project

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Spessartite Garnet
Chemical composition	Mn₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃anganese aluminum silicate
Crystal system	Cubic
Habit	Dodecahedra
Cleavage	None
Hardness	7
Optic nature	Isotropic
Refractive index	1.795-1.815
Birefringence	None
Specific gravity	4.12-4.20
Lustre	Vitreous

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Spessartite with Smoky Quartz
Photo courtesy of Barbra Voltaire

Spessartite image gallery

Spessartite is also named spessartine, both names are used interchangeably.

Diagnostics

Color

Orange, red, reddish-orange to yellowish-brown.

Spectroscope

Spessartite shows a typical spectrum due to manganese (idiochromatic) and some iron (from almandine).

Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Spectra of a spessartite from the Loliondo deposit in tanzania which was discovered in 2007. The graphs represent the transmission spectrum taken with the aid of a spectrometer, the spectrum below is what you will see through a spectroscope

Inclusions

Feathers of liquid droplets ("shredded inclusions"), negative crystals, crystal inclusions, "suger"; multiple tiny grains (Tanzanian stones) , small colorless fibers of tirodite which cause a sleepy look (Namibian stones)

Specific gravity

4.12 - 4.20

Spessartite sinks in all common heavy liquids.

Chelsea Colour Filter

Spessartite will show red under the CCF.

Varieties

Mandarine/Kashmirine/Hollandine

Three names for the same intense orange variety of spessartite.

Malaia

Main entry: pyrope

Malaia garnet (or malaya garnet) is the red-orange variety of pyrope-spessartite.

Localities

Sri Lanka (Ceylon)	Burma	Brazil
Madagascar	Mozambique	Nigeria
Namibia	Tanzania	USA
China	Pakistan	Afghanistan
Myanmar	India	Italy
Norway	France	Germany
Sweden	Scotland	Russia

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