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Mineral Specimens with Andradite
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This is a cluster of glassy and gemmy, richly green, demantoid crystals reaching 1.1 cm in length. The cluster is rich and bright, and the crystals cascade nicely across the matrix. The display crystals are pristine and show all faces save only for the large crystal on the right , which exhibits the contact outline of a previously attached crystal. The white matrix was actually limestone which has been, amazingly, metamorphosed ( metasomatized) into garnet in ancient geological time. Incredible origins for a matrix garnet specimen, and yet another reason to value this new deposit so highly.
Two sharp, glassy and gemmy, olive-green demantoid crystals , to 1.2 cm in length, are perched on a garnet matrix. Both crystals exhibit unusual and evident hoppered growth, which is rare in the garnet family. Riveting for the symmetry and sharp forms, this is a fine small miniature or, trimmed at bottom, a killer thumbnail specimen
Aesthetically nestled in a vug of metamorphosed (metasomatized) garnet matrix is a cluster of well formed, glassy and gemmy, olive-green and cognac-colored, andradite var. topazolite crystals. The color is really complex, and a mixture of green and brownish hues. The lustre is through the roof, really bright and glassy! The largest crystal measures 1.5 cm in length. The crystals are so gemmy you can look through them to the matrix underneath. This is a small miniature, in person, but a very bright one with high impact. It is hard to convey the quality of the bright lustre in photos.
A cluster of glassy and gemmy, brilliant green, demantoid crystals has grown on and with an ivory colored matrix of stilbite crystals, to 5 mm in length. The largest demantoid is 1 cm in length. This is an unbelievable melding of stilbite and demantoid in associatio - you don't see that from anywhere else I am aware of (nor is Dr. Pezzotta) and it seems another element of the geological puzzle that produced this locality. Most stilbite is micro, and very few specimens of any quality host both good demantoid and stilbite together. This is a superb, showy miniature, one of only 3 such association pieces I obtained. Even without the stilbite, though, the garnet is of very high quality, color intensity, and crystal size for the find. Although small overall, this is hands down one of my favorites in the lot.
This amazing LARGE crystal of andradite var. topazolite, is larger than any such I have seen from other locales. It is glassy and gemmy with a lovely cognac coloring. It is VERY transparent, too, especially at the edges. In several places the crystal seems to exhibit hopper growth, very rare in the garnet family. On the bottom, it is contacted, but complete. A significant thumbnail crystal for the species and the find
Perched aesthetically on top of the matrix are clusters of demantoid crystals to 1.5 cm in length. The crystals are glassy and gemmy and exhibit an olive green color. I really like the way each cluster is separated from the other, very 3-dimensionally, and shows many faces to maximum effect. Some incipient hopper growth is also noted on one or two crystals, which is unusual. The specimen is a large miniature or small cab , borderline in size. It showcases the crystals ery well and is MUCH better in person. The color is brown-olive, as if it is in between topazolite and demantoid in hue
This is an imposing, large specimen of demantoid garnet on matrix. It SPARKLES with color and brilliant facets from hundreds of faces of the gemmy crystals upon it. Few specimens like this have ever come from any of the other demantoid lcoales, in the size and quality range. Nearly covering the surface of this piece are glassy and gemmy green crystals to 8 mm. The matrix is garnet, actually, in a strange twist of geology transformed ( metasomatized) from the original limestone and then serving as host for a later garnet despoition. From this particular deposit, given the difficulty of access, it is VERY uncommon to get good large pieces of any quality. Like others in my lot, I was very careful to purchase pieces without damage and dings (and MOST of the specimens produced had some problems in that regard, as they were hacked out of holes 20-50 meters deep with hand tools, by amateur collectors in a hurry!). That being said, this is a very rare larger piece , with no damage to the display face, despite its broad exposure. One imagines that it was in a lucky large pocket, a rarity at this location where small and tight veins seem the rule.
Discrete crystals of glassy and gemmy, rich green demantoid crystals, to 1.2 cm in length, are nicely perched on a metasomatized, garnet matrix. This piece has garnets that are unlikely survivals on the matrix…they are so 3-dimensional and upright, its hard to believe they didn't just pop off in collecting. But there they are, some of the sharpest, most 3-D and isolated, of this lot. The lustre is liek glass, really high for this species.
A single glassy and gemmy, light green crystal of demantoid, measuring 1.3 cm across, is aesthetically perched on a natural pedestal: the matrix is made up of limestone metasomatized (metamorphosed to) microscopic garnet so this is technically garnet on garnet! The garnet is complete all around save only a small contact on back. A fine thumbnail of high quality for its good color, and excellent translucency.
Highlighted by a large, unusually elongated, nearly 2 cm-long demantoid crystal, this matrix specimen has several, glassy and gemmy, light green, discrete crystals perched on the contrasting matrix. VERY fine example with good color, lustre, and translucency for the price and size ranges.
A thin plate of intergrown, glassy and gemmy, olive-green, demantoid crystals! The crystals, to 1.2 cm in length , are emplaced on a thin plate of (metamorphosed) metasomatized garnet matrix. Striking specimen for the sparkle and richness of the crystallization. All of these crystals are SO gemmy, and transparent, that you can look right through them to the matrix beneath. Superb, bright specimen, and a lot of demantoid for the price, I felt
A cluster of glassy and gemmy topazolite crystals, to 1.2 cm in length, has nearly covered the metasomatized garnet matrix. These are bright and lustrous, and very gemmy! You can see the matrix through the crystals. The color is brown-olive, as if it is in between topazolite and demantoid in hue
Intergrown crystals of glassy and gemmy, olive green colored demantoid crystals, to 2 cm in length, form a solid plate on thin matrix. The crystals are elongated, and totally gemmy! They are glassy and transparent, so you can look right through them all, like little jewels. A beautiful and unusual plate from this locale
A superior example by any standard of the topazolite variety of garnet: Highlighted by a large, robust 2 cm crystal, these glassy and gemmy, cognac-colored andradite var. topazolite crystals sit on a matrix of metsomatized (metamorphosed from limestone) garnet. An elegant and superb specimen with a dominating main crystal atop, this is an important example of the species.
This elegant cluster of glassy and gemmy, richly green demantoid garnets is unusual in its great presentation of the crystals, and in the fact that the white material highlighting and separating them is STILBITE. This is a very rare occurrance at this locality (and to my knowledge unique, in fact). I have only 3 specimens in this lot with stilbite crystals, of which this is one. The crystals are all perched on metasomatized (metamorphosed from limestone) garnet matrix. The largest garnet measures 1.5 cm in length. And, the crystals are GEMMY AND TRANSPARENT like jewels, of really top quality. Then, after the garnets were formed, came the secondary growth of white finely-crystallized stilbite, wreathing the garnets so nicely. This is not a large specimen but its aesthetics make it compelling and gram for gram, one of the finest in the lot here!
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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com
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share specimen![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem02a.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem02a.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem02b.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem02b.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem02c.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem02c.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem03a.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem03a.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem03b.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem03b.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem03c.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem03c.jpg)
![Andradite var. Topazolite garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem04a.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem04a.jpg)
![Andradite var. Topazolite garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem04b.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem04b.jpg)
![Andradite var. Topazolite garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem04c.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem04c.jpg)
![Andradite var. Topazolite garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem04d.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem04d.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet with Stilbite from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem05a.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem05a.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet with Stilbite from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem05b.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem05b.jpg)
![Andradite var. Topazolite garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem06a.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem06a.jpg)
![Andradite var. Topazolite garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem06b.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem06b.jpg)
![Andradite var. Topazolite garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem06c.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem06c.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem07a.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem07a.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem07b.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem07b.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem07c.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem07c.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem07d.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem07d.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem08a.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem08a.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem08b.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem08b.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem08c.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem08c.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem08d.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem08d.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem09Ab.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem09Ab.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem09Ac.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem09Ac.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem09Ad.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem09Ad.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem09Ae.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem09Ae.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem09Af.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem09Af.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem09Ba.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem09Ba.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem09Bb.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem09Bb.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem09Cb.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem09Cb.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem09Cc.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem09Cc.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem09Cd.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem09Cd.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem10a.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem10a.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem10b.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem10b.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem10c.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem10c.jpg)
![Andradite var. Topazolite garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem11a.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem11a.jpg)
![Andradite var. Topazolite garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem11c.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem11c.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem12a.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem12a.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem12c.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem12c.jpg)
![Andradite var. Topazolite garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem13a.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem13a.jpg)
![Andradite var. Topazolite garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem13b.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem13b.jpg)
![Andradite var. Topazolite garnet from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem13c.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem13c.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet with Stilbite from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem14a.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem14a.jpg)
![Andradite var. Demantoid garnet with Stilbite from Antetezambato, Ambanja District, Diana Region, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar [db_pics/new2010/dem14b.jpg]](db_pics/new2010/dem14b.jpg)