Almandine Garnet on Biotite Schist (Fioravanti Coll.)

Item Description

One of the most classic Alaskan species and localities! These almandine garnet specimens are certainly well-known among collectors, and they seemed to have all but disappeared from the market in recent years. They are nearly as red as any species of garnet gets, and they often have very good sized crystals on the silvery-grey biotite schist matrix. This scultptural, large specimen hosts a very well-placed, 2.6 x 2.6 x 2.3 cm, textbook dodecahedron with trapezohedral modifications on the contrasting schist plate. The crystal has gorgeous cherry-red color zones when backlit. The pristine crystal is nicely viewable from either side. A beautiful and highly displayable specimen of this famous material. Older material from the Giancarlo Fioravanti Collection and purchased from dealer David New in 1966.