Almandine Garnet in schist

Item Description

SHARP, classic crystals of this garnet species in schist, from the classic old European locale which has fascinated collectors and mineralogists for hundreds of years. These crystals are so textbook-sharp, they could have been carved from a crystal idealization. What is remarkable about this specimen is its overall size and the quality of the isolated crystals, obviously...but even more interesting to me is the fact that somebody worked VERY carefully to escavate the crystals from the overlaying schist without damaging and scratching them up. Most often, these specimens, especially older ones, are polished for the beauty of it, from ignorance, or to hide scratches from excavating the crystals. These crystals, though, have their natural surfaces remaining.