Name GARNET ANDRADITE
Variety DEMANTOID
Origin Antetezambato
(Antsiranana)
Madagascar
Hardness 6,5 - 7,5
Composition CaFe2(SiO4)3
Crystaline sys. CUBIC
Size   13 x 10 cm (Cristal mayor 3 cm)
Weight 710 gr




Description:
Demantoid is the most appreciated and valuable variety of andradite, which is probably the gemologically most important of the 15 species of minerals belonging to the garnet group. Its name derives from the "vivacity" of its luster, reminding one of that of a diamond. The deposit this specimen comes from, was discovered in 2009, and is located to the northwest of the Island in a mangrove that gets swamped with high tide. In July 2009, 10.000 people were waiting for the tide to ebb so that they could rush to exposed excavated areas, empty them of water, seaweed, fish and other creatures, and continue with the excavation work until the tide rose again. The finding of this deposit became news of the year in the world of precious stones, and magnificent specimens attain high prices.


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GARNET ANDRADITE



VARIETY DEMANTOID