Andradite var. Demantoid

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The green chromium-rich variety of Andradite, called Demantoid, is one of the rarer varieties of garnet seen worldwide. In Europe, the Lomdardy region of northern Italy is one of the classic sources. This lovely older miniature specimen is a great example of this rarity from a precise source - Franscia near the village of Lanzada. It features over 25 globular crystals (in fact each is a composite crystal aggregate) reaching up to 6 mm in diameter. Looking like green berries, each individual gooseberry coloured composite crystal sits upon on a flat surface of serpentine matrix. The Demantoid crystals are slightly translucent with a glassy to resinous lustre. The back of the specimen has been sawn to allow it to stand nicely for display. The old accompanying collection label from Prof. Dr H. Siegmund in Vienna, documents that he acquired it in 1971 and that prior to that it had been sold from the private collection of A. Berger in Modling in 1960. A fine fine older specimen with great provenance from this classic European area for Demantoid.