Garnet Var. Grossular

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When it comes to world-class garnets there are a few localities that spring to mind, but rating them depends on many factors, such as sheer crystal size, gem quality and colour. For overall aesthetics those from Jeffrey mine in Quebec, Canada are amongst the very finest you will ever see but mining ceased there over a decade ago, and the best Grossular specimens came out nearly a generation ago. This magnificent cabinet-sized display specimen very much shows off everything great about the Grossular garnet from Jeffrey mine in a superb flat plate. Nearly the entire display surface is liberally covered in the iconic, gem-quality, pumpkin-orange to pale sherry coloured stepped rhombic dodecahedral crystals, with the larger crystals showing the darker colour. Noted as the variety Hessonite, the crystallography of these crystals is remarkable and one of the reasons why specimens from Jeffrey mine are so important. Their transparency is exceptional for any garnet and the largest crystal reaches 1 cm across with the average size 5 to 6 mm. There is minor chipping to a couple of crystals, but compared to the overall stunning show on display these are easily overlooked. The contrast between the Hessonite crystals and the light grey to black matrix is superb. A museum-quality specimen of Hessonite Garnet from the classic Jeffrey mine.