Andradite Garnet (var: Demantoid)

Item Description

Around 2005, some really attractive specimens of Andradite Garnet (var: Demantoid) started coming out of the Ghazni Province in Afghanistan. If somebody mentions Demantoid Garnet, most collectors will probably mention classic pieces from Russia or Italy or even the more recent Madagascar material, but I would say that the best of the Afghani specimens are actually very attractive and fairly comparable. Here we have a very good small cabinet specimen of this elusive material which plays host to a few very sharp, rather lustrous, translucent, eye-catching green color dodecahedral crystal of Demantoid measuring a full 1.0 cm sitting on white Chrysotile on host rock matrix. Now as you can see from the photos, there are a few minor rough spots around the edges, so the crystals are not completely perfect - hence the auction listing - but the faces are very smooth and well-formed which when combined with the impressive size and color, make it one of the better examples of Demantoid we've offered in the auctions from this locality. Of note, these Garnet crystals actually will demonstrate a shift in color from a blue-green color to a yellow-green hue depending upon the lighting under which it's viewed. If you love Garnets or if you have a suite of Afghani minerals, this is a worthwhile piece to add to your collection. The size and quality of the crystals is very impressive, not just for the locality, but Demantoid in general. Originally priced at $9\50 in the inventory, were the piece 100% perfect, I could see it retailing for much more.