Andradita Melanita
Andradita is a mineral with formula Ca₃Fe₂(SiO₄)₃, in the Nesosilicatos group. This specimen comes from Imilchil, Cercle de Imilchil, Midelt, Drâa-Tafilalet, Marruecos and joined the Terrium collection in 2002.
Description
Lustrous black dodecahedral crystals in a well-formed cavity on dark matrix.
About Andradita
Andradite is a calcium-iron garnet of the nesosilicate group. Its melanite variety is characterised by intense black colour, generally opaque, and submetallic lustre. This specimen shows the typical crystal habit: well-defined, lustrous dodecahedra.
About the locality
The Imilchil area in Midelt, Morocco, is known for producing black andradite (var. melanite) on altered basaltic matrix. The crystals occur in natural cavities and are collected for their crystal quality and austere aesthetics.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0007
- Composition
- Ca₃Fe₂(SiO₄)₃
- Name
- Andradita
- Variety
- Melanita
- Group
- Nesosilicatos
- Category
- Cavella
- Matrix
- Volcánica basáltica
- Mine
- Imilchil
- District / Municipality
- Cercle de Imilchil
- Province
- Midelt
- Region
- Drâa-Tafilalet
- Country
- Marruecos
- Size (cm)
- 6.5 x 5 x 4
- Acquired
- 2002
- Ex-collection
- Diego Navarro
- Etymology
- It literally means "Andrada's black stone", combining the surname of its discoverer, the Brazilian mineralogist J. B. de Andrada, with the Greek word melanos (black), in reference to its color.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Acantita (Paramórfica tras Argentita) — Marruecos
- Apatito — Marruecos
- Aragonito — Marruecos
- Arfvedsonita — Marruecos
- Azurita — Marruecos
- Azurita — Marruecos
- Azurita — Marruecos
- Azurita — Marruecos