Mineral Species: Garnet var. Almandine

Chemical Formula: Fe3Al2(SiO4)3

Chemical Name: Iron Aluminium Silicate

Mineral Class: Nesosilicate

Mineral Notes: Almandite Garnets are distinguished from other garnets by their brown colour, although they may show other hues if contaminated by other metals. They are found in metamorphosed impure limestones and limy shales, but only when the iron content is high and calcium is absent.

Description: A large red-brown Almandine garnet embedded in schist-like matrix. The crystal has good form and shows the characteristic multi-faceted habit. The grey-green matrix provides a very pleasing colour contrast.

Location: Karelia, Kola Peninsula, Russia.