mineral

Almandine Garnet

Almandine, Fe3Al2(SiO4)3

Hardness: 6.5–7.5 on Mohs scale. Color: Deep red to reddish-brown or blackish-red. Luster: Vitreous to resinous. Crystal Structure: Isometric-hexoctahedral (often dodecahedral). Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 4.1–4.3.

Hardness: 6
Color: Deep red to reddish-brown or blackish-red
Luster: Vitreous to resinous

Identified June 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through regional metamorphism of clay-rich sedimentary rocks like shale. Commonly found in metamorphic rocks such as mica schists and gneisses.

Uses & applications

Predominantly used as a gemstone in jewelry. Industrial uses include abrasives (garnet paper/sandblasting) and water-jet cutting due to its hardness and lack of cleavage.

Geological facts

Almandine is the most common member of the garnet group. It has been used in jewelry for thousands of years, notably in the cloisonné jewelry of the Anglo-Saxon and Merovingian periods.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its deep red color, high density, and characteristic dodecahedral shape. Frequently found in streams as heavy placer deposits or embedded in schist matrix. Common locations include India, Sri Lanka, and parts of the USA (like New York and Idaho).