Andradite Garnet (var: Demantoid) (ex Francesco Bedogne Collection)

Item Description

I cannot say for certain if there will be more of these pieces, as our source has told us that the entire locality is flooded out, so this is a great opportunity for Garnet collectors to purchase a fine quality display specimen of this highly sought after variety of Andradite. Please note that under halogen lights, the crystals appear a bit lighter in color, but under mercury bulbs, the color is very intense! This attractive large miniature / small cabinet specimen is a beautiful display piece that features superb quality, very sharp, highly lustrous modified dodecahedral/trapezohedral crystals, which are quite GEMMY and show a gorgeous green hue. The crystals are sitting atop a piece of metamorphosed sedimentary rock matrix creating a beautiful color contrast. It's almost reminiscent of the famous Demantoids from Val Malenco, Italy. I can't see any real damage with the naked eye, and they crystals just glow with color when they're in even average lighting. The largest Demantoid measures 1.3 cm across, which is very good sized for the locality and Demantoid in general. Valued at $1,450. From the worldwide collection of famed Italian mineral collector, field collector and author, Francesco Bedogne of Sondrio, Italy (Collection #223). Bedogne wrote dozens of articles and several books about the mineralogy of Italian Alpine localities such as Val Bregaglia, Val Masino, Val Codera, Val Spluga, Valtellina and the famous Val Malenco. He was also the founder of the Valtellinese Mineralogical Institute.