Difference between revisions of "Spessartite"

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[[Image:Spessgarnet.JPG|left|framed|"Mandarine" spessartite garnet]]<br clear="left" />
 
[[Image:Spessgarnet.JPG|left|framed|"Mandarine" spessartite garnet]]<br clear="left" />
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==Diagnostics==
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===Color===
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Red, reddish-orange to yellowish-brown.
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===Spectroscope===
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Spessartite shows a typical spectrum due to manganese.
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===Inclusions===
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* Feathers of liquid droplets ("shredded inclusions").
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===Specific gravity===
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Spessartite sinks in all common heavy liquids.
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==Varieties==
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===Mandarine/Kashmirine/Hollandine===
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Three names for the same intensive orange variety of spessartite.
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==Localities==
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* Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
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* Burma
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* Brazil
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* Madagascar

Revision as of 11:01, 13 December 2006

Spessartite Garnet
Chemical composition Mn3Al2(SiO4)3

Manganese aluminum silicate

Crystal system Cubic
Habit Dodecahedra
Cleavage None
Hardness 7
Optic nature Isotropic
Refractive index 1.795-1.815
Birefringence None
Specific gravity 4.12-4.20
Lustre Vitreous
"Mandarine" spessartite garnet

Diagnostics

Color

Red, reddish-orange to yellowish-brown.

Spectroscope

Spessartite shows a typical spectrum due to manganese.

Inclusions

  • Feathers of liquid droplets ("shredded inclusions").

Specific gravity

Spessartite sinks in all common heavy liquids.

Varieties

Mandarine/Kashmirine/Hollandine

Three names for the same intensive orange variety of spessartite.

Localities

  • Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
  • Burma
  • Brazil
  • Madagascar