Garnet (Pyrope-Almandine) on Muscovite
stock #21.FC-025
Betaimboraka Pegmatite, Miarinarivo
Itasy Region,
Madagascar
11 x 7.8 x 2.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $450
Spring 23
A large and complex Muscovite crystal with stepped growth is the host for a single distorted Garnet crystal. The Garnet is in the Pyrope-Almandine series and probably contains both species but is mostly Almandine. The Garnet is very dark overall but strong light shows a few tiny areas of translucent red. An older Madagascar specimen, in very good condition and with an unusual morphology in both the Garnet and the matrix.
An important and choice Almandine on pegmatite matrix from the 1974 Dagenais Pocket (named for Rene Dagenais). This specimen was in the collection of John Marshall who was at that time one of the owners of the locality. According to John it was the best Garnet he had seen from Mt Mica. The specimen retains his painted on label and collection number M-19. The Almandine is mostly complete with dark red higlights. There is an area of damage on the backside but the front is clean and presents well. Garnet is rather common at the famed Mt Mica, but any well formed crystals are especially rare. A significant specimen from a famed pocket and important for the locality.
Almandine in schist
stock #20.1-173
Stikine River, Wrangell Island, Wrangell-Petersburg Borough
Alaska,
United States
8.4 x 5.3 x 4.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $790
Spring 2020
A large and crisp Garnet is well exposed on the Schist matrix. The crystal is in fine condition, it has the typical slightly rounded edges and faces but excellent color and quality. The crystal is 2.7 CM across, large for the locality. Close exam shows the more complex growth faces and structures on the larger faces. A modern USA classic locale, the Stikene River (Alaska) had in the past produced many impressive garnets. It has been known since the 1860's and was commercially mined starting in 1907 until the 1930's by an all woman corporation, a first. Today this continues to be an accessible locality that has been set aside for children to collect. However as no power tools are permitted the production is not like it was many years ago and specimens of this quality are almost never seen.
Almandine (huge) on Rhyolite Schist
stock #19.1-807
Garnet Hill, Ely, White Pine County
Nevada,
United States
3.1 x 2.9 x 2.4 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $480
A big, sharp and lustrous Garnet crystal perched in a contrasting light Rhyolite. This crystal is enormous for this locality, it is larger (2.7 CM) than any of the 67 Garnet Hill specimens shown on Mindat, and is fully prefect. The back side of the specimen has another Almandine as well but the crystal on the display side is more impressive. When these were collected some years ago they were all labeled as Spessartine but later testing proved that all are Almandine. The Garnet undamaged even at high magnification, and the bright, lightly striated faces are striking. Aside from being a fine piece for this remarkable locality, it is a choice Almandine from any place.
Almandine on Schist
stock #16.1-699
Otz Valley, North Tyrol
Tyrol,
Austria
8.7 x 6.3 x 4.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $340
A sharp 3.8 CM Garnet is nicely perched on a silver- green Schist from this classic old locality. The Garnet is in excellent condition, is well exposed (and absolutely not "glued on"!). This is an old specimen yet it has not been enhanced as was often done years ago with faces polished or even painted on to add color. This is fully natural and quite esthetic, with no damage or edge wear.
Garnet (Almandine)- Antique specimen
stock #13.1-387
Ziller Valley, North Tyrol
Tyrol,
Austria
4.5 x 3.4 x 3 CM (miniature)
price: $140
Late Summer 2018
A very old (18th century) Tyrolian Garnet specimen from the Zillertal. This area has been the source of Almandine for centuries, these were sold and traded worldwide. This comes with an early Julias Bohm label and a much older (crumbling) one as well as an affixed one on the specimen back. The matrix is an unusual one, a complex mix with Actinolite, Hematite, Magnetite, Quartz and more unusual, small Galena and other Sulfides. Not the usual mica Schists we typically see from the Tyrol. The main crystal is well exposed and complete 1.5 CM in diameter and has some good translucent areas.
Almandine -fine crystals on Schist
stock #17.1-019
Granatenkogel North Slope, Gaisberg Valley. Bergurgl, Gurgler Valley, Ot
Tyrol,
Austria
6.7 x 5 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $220
Pre Holiday 2017
An esthetic, old Garnet specimen with crystals to 2.8 CM in impeccable condition. What sets this piece apart is the rich red color and translucency, which is far better than most. Well presented and exposed in a nice composition. As is often the case with these Austrian classics, there has been a thin layer of clear shellac or varnish applied which stabilized the often crumbly Schist matrix and adds a little luster to the garnets. This is now seen as an undesirable tactic but in the 19th century it was common. This can be removed with Acetone if desired but it is historicaly accurate to keep it as well.
Almandine on Pegmatite - classic
stock #16.1-353
Hedgehog Hill Quarry, Peru, Oxford County
Maine,
United States
8.2 x 7.7 x 5.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $350
Winter 2016-17
Several Garnets are scattered on the Pegmatite matrix but the main crystal is 3.3 cm perfectly perched in a nest of Mica. In fine condition and sharply formed this is a classic style Oxford County (Maine) specimen. Far better than most with a fine esthetic form, the face striations also are a bit more distinct that is typical. Choice Northeastern US specimen.
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