Mineral Species: Garnet var. Grossular
Chemical Formula: Ca3Al2(SiO4)3
Chemical Name: Calcium Aluminium Silicate
Mineral Class: Nesosilicate
Mineral Notes: Grossular is a mineral from the Garnet familiy of tetrahedral silicates, more recently renamed Neosilicates. Garnets are some of the most common minerals but also some of the most beautiful. Some varieties are important as gem stones whilst others have been used to coat abrasive papers because of their hardness and good cutting properties. Grossular is characterised by the fact that it is often found in metamorphic rocks and is one of the easiest garnets to melt.
Description: An interesting habit of fused Grossular crystals, which combine to form a red-brown crust on the matrix. In spite of the clustering, many individual multi-faceted crystals can easily be seen. Some are quite gemmy.