Grossular Garnet (var: Hydrogrossular) pseudomorph after Helvine (?) (ex Dr. Wouter van Tichelen Collection)

Item Description

These specimens were at one time called "Achtaragdite" after the river where they were originally found. These specimens are essentially Garnet (presumably Grossular, but they could be Hibschite as well) replacing a tetrahedral mineral (possibly Helvine, but it could be Wadalite or another Hydrogarnet). They were found many decades ago as loose "floaters", and they made their way into various world collections, but I've only seen a handful of them over the years. This piece features tan colored Garnet (labeled as Hydrogrossular - a variety of Grossular) which has completely replaced "Helvine (?)". These specimens have never been fully explained or confirmed, but they are unique rare classics from one of the historic localities in Russia. Refer to https://www.mindat.org/min-17.html for more information. From the prestigious pseudomorph collection of Dr. Wouter van Tichelen of Belgium.