Granate Melanita (Andradita)
Granate is a mineral with formula Ca₃(Fe³⁺,Ti)₂(SiO₄)₃, in the Silicato [Granate (tectosilicato especial) + Epidota (Sorosilicato) + Cuarzo (Tectosilicato)] group. This specimen comes from Cantera Los Serranos, Albatera, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, España.
Description
Green piece with lustrous, well-defined black cubes of andradite (var. melanite) on fan-shaped aggregates of green crystallised epidote. Small colourless quartz crystals are interspersed among them.
History of this specimen
It belonged to the collection of Antonio Barahona, one of the most influential collectors in the Spanish mineralogical scene, with species even bearing his name. The piece dates to 1983 and I acquired it directly from his son after a long conversation in which Tábata, Barahona’s granddaughter, also took part, likewise keen on minerals—a notable fact, as this passion rarely survives the generational handover. It came in a hand-made case they had built themselves, with a carved wooden base and red velvet. The original label identified the specimen as "garnet" and "pistacite", terms common at the time but now obsolete. "Pistacite" designated iron-rich epidote, consistent with the age of the piece.
About Granate
Andradite is a calcium garnet in the nesosilicate group; its melanite variety is notable for its black colour due to high titanium content. Epidote is a calcium–iron sorosilicate, traditionally called "pistacite". In this piece andradite (garnet group), epidote (sorosilicate), and quartz (tectosilicate) occur together. Three distinct silicate architectures in a single matrix.
About the locality
It is an aggregate quarry that began operations in the 1980s to produce ballast for railways and roads. The blasting exposed numerous cavities containing crystal formations of epidote, andradite, quartz, and other minerals. The site became most famous for its display slabs featuring this mixed mineral assemblage. For years, the main collectors were Antonio Barahona and Carmelo (the last jet carver), and almost all of their specimens were identified as "clinos" or clinozoisite, until subsequent research corrected their classification and determined that they had always been epidotes. Mining operations eventually closed, but accessible mineralized pockets can still be found among the old workings.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0190
- Composition
- Ca₃(Fe³⁺,Ti)₂(SiO₄)₃
- Name
- Granate
- Variety
- Melanita (Andradita)
- Group
- Silicato [Granate (tectosilicato especial) + Epidota (Sorosilicato) + Cuarzo (Tectosilicato)]
- Category
- Cresta Montis
- Matrix
- cuarzo
- Associations
- epidota cuarzo
- Mine
- Cantera Los Serranos
- District / Municipality
- Albatera
- Province
- Alicante
- Region
- Comunidad Valenciana
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 10 x 8 x 4
- Ex-collection
- Antonio Barahona
- Etymology
- From the Greek "epidosis" ("addition"), in reference to the parallel growth of the crystals.
- Quality
- Notable
- Value trend
- Al alza
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