Andradite Var. Demantoid Garnet - image 1

Andradite Var. Demantoid Garnet - image 2

Andradite Var. Demantoid Garnet

Unknown Owner

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This is an imposing, large specimen of demantoid garnet on matrix. It SPARKLES with color and brilliant facets from hundreds of faces of the gemmy crystals upon it. Few specimens like this have ever come from any of the other demantoid lcoales, in the size and quality range. Nearly covering the surface of this piece are glassy and gemmy green crystals to 8 mm. The matrix is garnet, actually, in a strange twist of geology transformed (metasomatized) from the original limestone and then serving as host for a later garnet despoition. From this particular deposit, given the difficulty of access, it is very uncommon to get good large pieces of any quality. Like others in my lot, I was very careful to purchase pieces without damage and dings (and MOST of the specimens produced had some problems in that regard, as they were hacked out of holes 20-50 meters deep with hand tools, by amateur collectors in a hurry!). That being said, this is a very rare larger piece, with no damage to the display face, despite its broad exposure. One imagines that it was in a lucky large pocket, a rarity at this location where small and tight veins seem the rule.