Pyrope var. Rhodolite Garnet (rare) Trimingham Coll.

Item Description

Rhodolite was originally a rose-red gem variety of pyrope garnet. Current usage has extended the name to any pink garnet in the almandine-pyrope series with most of the occurrences in the almandine compositional field (MINDAT). That being said, this is an extremely rare and huge rhodolite from Brumado, Brazil. The dodecahedron, which appears to be river worn, is highly lustrous and has gorgeous areas of beautiful cranberry-red gemminess next to nearly opaque dark cherry-red. This is very rare rhodolite, for both extreme size and locale. Complete all-around, the base is broken. We had a similar one from the Dr. Ed David Collection (Ed was President Nixon's White House Science chief, and remains a longtime mineral collector). Mass is 352 grams and is quite impressive. The identification is per the previous owner. Ex Bob Trimingham Collection and acquired in 1992.