mineral

Mixed garnet crystal specimens

Garnet-group silicates, likely almandine–spessartine with possible grossular/pyrope varieties; general formula X₃Y₂(SiO₄)₃

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small rounded to dodecahedral crystals, mostly dark red, burgundy, brown, and black with minor green grains; typically vitreous to resinous luster and no cleavage. Garnet hardness is about 6.5–7.5 Mohs, with specific gravity roughly 3.5–4.3.

Identified September 1, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Mixed garnet crystal specimens
Scientific name: Garnet-group silicates, likely almandine–spessartine with possible grossular/pyrope varieties; general formula X₃Y₂(SiO₄)₃
Category: mineral
Identified: September 1, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$30 for a small mixed rough lot; $30–$200+ for attractive locality specimens, with exceptional gem-quality crystals potentially worth much more.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Garnets form mainly in metamorphic rocks such as schist and gneiss, though some occur in igneous rocks and alluvial deposits. Their precise age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Gem-quality garnet is cut for jewelry; industrial garnet is used as abrasive, sandblasting media, water-jet cutting material, and filtration media. Specimen value depends strongly on species, color, transparency, locality, and crystal quality.

Geological facts

Red almandine and orange spessartine are common garnet varieties; green garnets may include grossular or demantoid. Garnets are commonly recognized by their lack of cleavage and high density.

Field identification & locations

Identify using crystal form, heft, hardness, and absence of cleavage; a streak, refractive-index, or laboratory test is needed for species-level identification. Garnets occur worldwide, notably in India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Brazil, the United States, and Norway.