Mineral Species: Spessartine
Chemical Formula: Mn3Al2(SiO4)3
Chemical Name: Manganese Aluminium Silicate
Mineral Class: Nesosilicate
Mineral Notes: Spessartine is a mineral from the Garnet familiy of tetrahedral or nesosilicates. 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. Spessartine is characterised by its deep red-brown colouration and is often found in metamorphic rocks.
Description: This is a highly crystalline and very pure specimen of Spessartine, which explains the orange-pink colour. Most Spessartine garnets are coloured red or brown by the inclusion of iron. As such this specimen is completely iron-free. The water-like clarity of the crystals makes the crystal form difficult to see. However under magnification the characteristic multifaceted form of the mineral is very obvious. Coupled with a bright luster this is an excellent specimen of a very rare and unusual occurrence.
Location: Guangdong Province, China.
