Grossular Garnet, Hessonite Variety - Clinochlor

Dimensions: 2.4 x 2 x 2.4cm
 Location: Lajetto, Condove, Val di Susa, Piedmont, Italy

 

  

   
 This thumbnail is perfect: a gem-quality hessonite crystal, a deep reddish-orange, clearly set against satiny gray-green clinochlore rosettes. The color contrast is immediate, the garnet stands out beautifully. This remarkable piece was acquired successively by several collectors specializing in garnets (original labels included).
 Lajetto (Alpe delle Frasse), near Condove, is one of the classic alpine rodingites of the Val di Susa for its associations of hessonite garnets with clinochlore, diopside and vesuvianite.
  
 

 Dimensions without the acrylic base, which is supplied with the mineralogical specimen.