Val Malenco is one of the great Italian Alpine localities. Among other things, the numerous localities here are known for their Andradite garnets, which are classics in their own right. This rich vein of lustrous, translucent-to-gemmy, 2 mm-size, olive-green Demantoids is nestled in Chrysotile (also know as Mountain Leather, aka Asbestos). This particular example is really aesthetic, and has a row of garnets tucked in, as if in a carpet. A fine specimen from this well-known locality, these are difficult to obtain now. Acquired in 1973.