Mineral Species: Garnet var. Almandine

Chemical Formula: Fe3Al2(SiO4)3

Chemical Name: Iron Aluminium Silicate

Mineral Class: Nesosilicate

Mineral Notes: Almandite Garnets are distingusihed 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: Three dark-brown Almandine garnets embedded in a schist-like matrix. All three crystals have good form and show the characteristic multi-faceted habit. The grey-green matrix provides a very pleasing colour contrast.

Location: Gösleswand, Ströden, Tyrol, Austria.