Name GARNET HIBSCHITE
Variety ACHTARAGDITE
Origin Wiluy River (Chernyshevsky) (Yakutia) Russia
Hardness 7
Composition Ca3Al2(SiO4)3-x(OH)4x
Crystaline sys. CUBIC
Size   4,3x2,7x2,7 cm
Weight 24 gr




Description:
Discovered in 1812 by the geologist Karl Laksmann, this rare species was known as a "mineralogical enigma" because of the controversy that arose around its origin and its forming, supposedly from an unknown mineral. In 2002, the Russian scientist Evgeny Galuskin determined its pseudomorphic after wadalite (another garnet variety), but others affirm that it was formed after a grossular garnet. In our collection we have specimens of grossular which come from the same are and which have the same crystallization habit as the specimens of actaragdite shown here (See GRN065) Thes two specimens come from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (USA). The species receives its name after the River Achtaranta (Siberia) where it was discovered.


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GARNET HIBSCHITE



VARIETY ACHTARAGDITE