Granate Hesonita (Grosularia)
Granate is a mineral with formula Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃, in the Silicatos (Nesosilicatos) group. This specimen comes from Lajetto, Valle de Susa, Turín, Piamonte, Italia and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
Carpet-like druse of caramel hessonite, small but lustrous, scattered with scaly aggregates of silvery-green clinochlore. Best examined with a loupe.
About Granate
Hessonite is a variety of grossular garnet, valued for its honey-reddish colour and transparency. In Lajetto it occurs as continuous druses on chloritic schists, with clinochlore as a typical associate.
About the locality
The Susa Valley (Piedmont) is a classic of Alpine mineralogy, known for metamorphic rocks rich in garnets and chlorites. Lajetto produces aesthetic specimens of hessonite with clinochlore, appreciated for their uniformity and contrast.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0186
- Composition
- Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
- Name
- Granate
- Variety
- Hesonita (Grosularia)
- Group
- Silicatos (Nesosilicatos)
- Category
- Meritum Persé
- Matrix
- Gneiss-granito
- Associations
- Clinocloro
- Mine
- Lajetto
- District / Municipality
- Valle de Susa
- Province
- Turín
- Region
- Piamonte
- Country
- Italia
- Size (cm)
- 8 x 4.6 x 2.6
- Weight
- 124.8 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Etymology
- From the Greek "hesson" ("inferior"), referring to its lower hardness and density compared to other garnets.
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Aragonito — Italia
- Aragonito (Azul) — Italia
- Barita — Italia
- Barita (Amarilla) — Italia
- Bomba volcánica — Italia
- Bomba volcánica — Italia
- Calcita (Botrioidal Amarilla) — Italia
- Calcita — Italia