Grossular Garnet ex. Lauf Coll.

Item Description

This gem garnet specimen (Grossular variety Hessonite) is from the author's own collection and is the feature cover of the important reference series mineral monograph books, Collector's Guide to the Garnet group, by Dr. Bob Lauf. It is a literally glasslike plate of sparkling jewels, interconnected to form a sheet of intergrown garnets that is thin and translucent to light. I have never seen a plate of them quite like this specimen (and it really is fully translucent, even in minimal light, giving it a nice glowing effect). The color is a pleasing, uniform, cinnamon-red-orange hue unique to this material, and there is no damage to any crystals in the core of the plate. The crystals reach 1 cm and have mesmerizing surface pattern and detail on close inspection. A highly desirable old classic probably from the 1980s-1990s, and valued $4000-plus. This item comes with a copy of the corresponding book, as shown.