$130Median
1Sold (12 mo)
$130Last sale
Hessonite specimens for sale
14 for sale · $130–$7,500 USD
66 in the gallery
Hessonite is a garnet species named for its cinnamon-brown to orange hues and brownish to golden tones. It typically forms in dodecahedral or trapezohedral crystals, and its lustre ranges from vitreous to resinous, often showing pleasing color zoning in well-cut crystals. Notable localities include the classic deposits in Sri Lanka and Madagascar, with significant collectibility also from Canada, Italy, the USA, Pakistan, and Switzerland, as reflected by widely reported specimen sources. Collectors seek hessonite for its warm colors, good crystal habit, and relatively accessible sizes, which make it a popular choice for both cabinet displays and thumbnail clusters.
- Formula
- Ca3Al2(SiO4)3
- Rarity
- Common
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- High Interest
- Classification notes
- Nesosilicate; Garnet group
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- isometric
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5–7.5
- Specific gravity
- 3.57–3.73
- Luster
- vitreous, resinous
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Color
- yellow, orange, red, brown
- Streak
- white
- Cleavage
- none
- Fracture
- conchoidal, uneven
- Crystal habit
- dodecahedral, granular, massive, equant
- Gem mineral
Buy Hessonite specimens
View all 14Where Hessonite is found
Top localities
- Jeffrey Mine13 specimens
- Belvidere Mountain Quarries5 specimens
- Vesper Peak5 specimens
- Ala Valley3 specimens
- Bellecombe3 specimens
- Mussa Alp2 specimens
- Jeffrey Quarry2 specimens
- Alpe delle Frasse1 specimen
- Salzburg1 specimen
About Hessonite
In many specimens, hessonite displays a rich, honey-like to burnt-orange color that can appear translucent to transparent, highlighting internal zoning and crystal faces. It is commonly associated with garne complexes and metamorphic rocks, and it often occurs in granitic pegmatites and skarn environments, where well-formed crystals can be found. For mineral lovers, the appeal lies in the balance of color, clarity, and form, offering versatile display options from single crystals to compact, sparkly aggregates that show clean terminations and bright luster.
