Granate Hesonita (Grosularia)
Granate is a mineral with formula Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃, in the Silicatos (Nesosilicatos) group. This specimen comes from Val d’Ala, Ala di Stura, Torino, Piamonte, Italia.
Description
Crocodile-mouth geode with orange-brown grossular garnet crystals, accompanied by green clinochlore and white diopside. Typical hydrothermal matrix; reflects the typical paragenesis of Val d’Ala.
About Granate
Brown to honey-cinnamon variety of grossular with a recognisable resinous to vitreous lustre. At Val d’Ala it typically occurs as well-formed crystals with clean faces and sharp edges, associated with calc-silicates and chlorite-group minerals.
About the locality
A historic area for Italian Alpine collecting. Specimens from Val d’Ala are recognised by the colour combination—warm garnets on green-and-white matrix.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0145
- Composition
- Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
- Name
- Granate
- Variety
- Hesonita (Grosularia)
- Group
- Silicatos (Nesosilicatos)
- Category
- Cavella
- Matrix
- Matriz hidrotermal
- Associations
- Clinocloro Diopsido
- Mine
- Val d’Ala
- District / Municipality
- Ala di Stura
- Province
- Torino
- Region
- Piamonte
- Country
- Italia
- Size (cm)
- 10 x 6 x 3
- Weight
- 168 g
- Etymology
- Named from the Greek hesson ("inferior"), referencing its lower density and hardness within the garnet group.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
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- Calcita (Botrioidal Amarilla) — Italia
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