Andradite Garnet (var: Demantoid) (large specimen - classic material)

Item Description

How often does one encounter a LARGE CABINET display specimen of this classic material? This beautiful piece is filled with hundreds upon hundreds of brilliantly lustrous, sharp, yellow-green dodecahedral crystals of the famous Demantoid Garnets from the classic Sferlun Asbestos Mine, in Val Malenco in the Italian Alps. The Garnets are intergrown to form “finger”-like groups, almost resembling some form of aquatic plant life surrounded by fibrous off-white color Chrysotile/Asbestos matrix. The largest individual crystal measures approximately 2.5 mm across. The piece is essentially damage free, with only a few tiny imperfections that I can see with the naked eye. As you can see it looks beautiful when displayed. It is very difficult to obtain such large and SHOWY specimens from Sferlun, and Garnets in general simply are not found in seven inch display pieces! A remarkable specimen for any fan of worldwide Garnets, Alpine minerals or minerals from Italy. Priced at $5,000 in the inventory.