Andradite var: Topazolite

Item Description

These wonderful Garnet specimens hit the market in 2010. The Antetezambato Mine produced some beautiful examples of Andradite (both Demantoid and Topazolite varieties) for a brief time. Unfortunately no more specimens will be collected, and it's a shame because these are some of the best examples of Andradite from any modern locality. I would say that best Demantoids from this locality, certainly hold their own against the classic examples from Russia or the Italian Alps, and will go down as some of the finest Demantoids in the world. This miniature sized piece is a showy and fine quality example of Topazolite featuring sharp, lustrous, good sized, trapezohedral crystals sitting on matrix. Internally, the crystals are fairly gemmy, and the colors range from a rich golden hue on the larger topmost crystal (which measures 1.1 cm across) to more of a golden-green hue among the smaller crystals. A good quality and showy piece with highly attractive crystals. Very little damage, only a few small nicks, and I love composition with the biggest crystal sitting prominently atop the specimen. From the collection of Brian Kosnar.