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Andradite N to Z
Posted by Rock Currier
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Andradite N to Z July 17, 2011 10:40AM |
Click here to view Best Minerals, Andradite A to M. Click here to view Best Minerals A and here for Best Minerals A to Z and here for Fast Navigation of completed Best Minerals articles.
Can you help make this a better article? What good localities have we missed? Can you supply pictures of better specimens than those we show here? Can you give us more and better information about the specimens from these localities? Can you supply better geological or historical information on these localities?
Andradite
Namibia
Erongo Region, Karibib District, Tubussis 22 farm (Tubussis; Tubusis; Tubessis)
This locality has sparingly produced good specimens of the demantoid variety of Andradite and some others as well. Many of the best ones were marketed by Charles Kee who has recently spent a lot of time living in Namibia.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
Norway
Aust-Agder, Arendal
“In large dodecahedrons at Arendal in Aust-Agder… .”1 There are a couple of pictures of Andradite crystals from this locality here on mindat, but they are less than compelling. Certainly some red patriotic Norwegian collector can supply is with a good picture of a fine Andradite specimen from this famous old locality.
1. A Textbook of Mineralogy, Edward Dana, William Ford, 4th edition, 1926, p. 596.
Andradite
Norway
Aust-Agder, Gjerstad
The specimen pictured above is an old one and is in the British Museum of Natural History. The black Andradite crystals up to about 12 mm are associated with feldspar crystals. Even though the specimen must have been exceptional in its day, because of the amount of damage on the specimen, it would not be thought highly of by modern collectors. You never see these specimens offered for sale.
Olav Revheim writes 2009: The Arendal and Gjerstad locations are distinct locations and refers to administrative units (municipalities) in Aust Agder, Norway. Both locations belongs to the same geological province (the bamble formation), and the andradite from this area is found in iron rich skarns with magnetite, diopside, quartz, epidote, scapolite (probably marialite). Several of these skarn occurances has been mined for iron. The first mine (Barbu) opened in1585 and the Bråstad mine was not shut down until the 1970-ties. There has been dozens of mining operations in these skarns, and even more locations that has not been mined. Today most of these locations are lost through urban development and flooded mine shafts. The best crystals can be quite good, and I think I remember some excellent specimens from the local museum in Arendal. I cannot recall the crystal size. These specimens are rare on the marked today, and I would suspect that the best specimens can be found in European Museum collections and older private collections in Norway. I suggest that the location Arendal Iron mines or more correctly "Greater Arendal iron skarn locations" can be used for these andradites, just noting that some of these iron mines are located outside the current Arendal municipality. Also the Grua area and Drammensmarka are good Norwegian andradite locations. As soon as we have some good images of these specimens uploaded to mindat, we will include them here. Here is a map that may help you orient the locality.
Andaradite
Norway
Buskerud, Drammen, Drammensmarka, 5 Minuite
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
Norway
Finnmark, Hasvik, Sørøya, Haraldseng
Andradite
Norway
Oppland, Lunner, Grua, Grua Tunnel
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
Pakistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North-West Frontier Province), Malakand Region, Swat District (Swat Valley), Mullah Yusef
Andradite
Pakistan
Northern Areas, Baltistan, Skardu District, Haramosh Mts., Shengus (Shingus)
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
Peru
Huancavelica Department, Castrovirreyna Province, Castrovirreyna District, Pampa Blanca, Rosario Mabel claim (Flor de Peru II claim)
Andradite
Peru
Ica Department, Pisco Province, Quebrada Rio Seco
Andradite
Poland
Évora District, Évora, Arraiolos
Andradite
Portugal
Lisboa District, Sintra, Linhó
We need someone to tell us about the Andradites from this locality.
Andradite
Portugal
Portalegre District, Monforte
We need someone to tell us about the Andradites from this locality.
Andradite
Romania
Caras-Severin Co., Banat Mts, Ocna de Fier-Dognecea District, Dognecea (Dognácska; Dognaczka)
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
Russia
Eastern-Siberian Region, Krasnoyarsk Territory (Krasnoyarsk Kray; Krasnoyarskii Krai), Bolshaya Irba Village, Irbinskoe (Irbinskoye) deposit
Andradite
Russia
Eastern-Siberian Region, Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e), Irkutskaya Oblast', Zheleznogorsk, Korshunovskoye (Korzunovskoe; Korzhunovska; Korshunovskiy) Iron mine
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite garnets from this locality.
Andradite
Russia
Eastern-Siberian Region, Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia), Vilyui River Basin (Vilui River Basin; Wilui River Basin), Chernyshevsk
No pictures available
Euhedral sea green to olive green crystals, usually singles up to about 3 cm in diameter. These have come trickling out over a period of years and though interesting can usually be had for less than $50. Certainly at one time they were locally abundant.
Andradite
Russia
Far-Eastern Region, Chukotskii Autonomous Okrug, Tamvatney, Anadyr
Andradite
Russia
Far-Eastern Region, Primorskiy Kray, Dal'negorsk (Dalnegorsk; Tjetjuche; Tetjuche) Dal'negorsk B deposit, Bor Pit (Boron Pit; Bor Quarry)
These are collected from a large open pit mine that opens almost right in the center of town. It is a skarn and they are mining Datolite for the production of Borate minerals. The mine usually has many open pockets on its benches and has produced probably the finest specimens of daotlite known. It is also well known for its Axinite, Hedenbergite and Ilvaite and Calcite specimens. When Russia was a fortress economy during the cold war, such a mine could be justified, but although the mine is still operating on a small scale it is not profitable to run. The reason is that it is much more costly to extract borates from Datolite than from crystallized borax which is being currently mined in Turkey, California and Argentina
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
Russia
Far-Eastern Region, Primorskiy Kray, Dal'negorsk (Dalnegorsk; Tjetjuche; Tetjuche), Kavalerovo Mining District, Sinerechenskiy Mine; Blue River), Sinerechenskoe skarn occurrence (Sinerechenskoye; Sineretschenskoye
It is a really big skarn and besides the open pit mine where they mine Datolite for the production of borates, there are a number of base metal deposits that have been mined over the years and some of the mines are still active. This district is not particularly well known for its andradite specimens, but as you can see from the above images, they have produced many fine specimens.
Andradite
Russia
Northern Caucasus Region, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Baksan Valley, Tyrnyauz Mo-W Deposit
Andradite
Russia
Urals Region, Middle Urals, Ekaterinburgskaya (Sverdlovskaya) Oblast', Asbest, Bazhenovskoe deposit
Andradite
Russia
Urals Region, Middle Urals, Ekaterinburgskaya (Sverdlovskaya) Oblast', Ekaterinburg (Sverdlovsk), Poldnevaya village
Andradite
Russia
Urals Region, Southern Urals, Chelyabinsk Oblast', Korkodin, Korkodinskoe (Karkodinskoe; Novo-Karkodinskoe) demantoid deposit
Andradite
Russia
Northern Region, Karelia Republic, Ladoga Region, Pitkyaranta (Pitkäranta) District, Sortavala, Kitelskoe (Kitelsk; Kitelskoye) Sn-Zn deposit
This specimen is in the British Museum of Natural History. The locality is mentioned in Dana's Text 4th edition as being from Finland. Since that time Russia took over the territory and now the locality is in Russia. The specimens were fairly abundant at one time and the specimen pictured was considered to be a good specimen. It has fairly sharp if not shiny black crystals to about 12 mm. You rarely see them for sale.
Andradite
Russia
Northern Region, Murmanskaja Oblast', Kola Peninsula, Kovdor Massif, Kovdor Mine
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this mine.
Andradite
South Africa
Northern Cape Province, Kalahari manganese fields, Wessels Mine (Wessel's Mine), Hotazel
These are manganese mines and are not far from Kuraman. The best andradite specimens have been found at the Wessels mine. “Colors vary from brown and red-brown to yellowish red, with smaller orange and red translucent crystals and two occurrences from Wessels of pale-green crystals. Crystal sizes varies from less than 1 mm to 15 mm, averaging abound 5 mm.”1 These andradite crystals are not particularly notable, but their association with crystals of hausmannite, barite, calcite, celestite, hematite, tephroite and sturmanite often makes striking and mineralogically fascinating specimens.
1. Mineralogical Record, Vol. 22, 1991, p 281.
Andradite
South Africa
Northern Cape Province, Kalahari manganese fields, N'Chwaning Mines, N'Chwaning II Mine
We need someone to tell us about the andradite specimens from this mine.
Andradite
Spain
Andalusia, Huelva, Cala, Cala Mines, Manuel-Mercedes Mine
Andradite
Spain
Asturias, Salas, Carlés, Carlés Mine
Andradite
Spain
Extremadura, Badajoz, Burguillos del Cerro, Milucha Mine
Andradite
Spain
Extremadura, Badajoz, Burguillos del Cerro, Monchi Mine
Andradite
Spain
Extremadura, Badajoz, Monesterio, Aguablanca Mine (Agua Blanca Mine)
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
Sweden
Gästrikland, Hofors, Torsåker, Linderås Mines
Andradite
Sweden
Lappland, Ultevis
Andradite
Switzerland
Wallis (Valais), Zermatt - Saas Fee area
We need someone to tell us about the andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
UK
Scotland, Buchan Grampian (Aberdeenshire), Aberdeen, Rubislaw Quarry
This old British Museum specimen, exceptional for the UK, would not be of interest except to those who specialize in minerals from UK. It does have a classical ding in the classical spot. Andradite (melanite) garnets are an essencial ingredient of the rock called Borrolanite near loch Borrolan, Sutherland, in the north west of Scotland.1
1. Emial communication Spencer I. Mather 2009.
Andradite
USA
Alaska,Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Borough, Prince of Wales Island, Copper Mountain
The specimen above may be the best one from this locality you will ever see.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
USA
Arizona, Gila Co., Dripping Spring Mts, Banner District, Christmas area, Christmas, Dripping Springs Mountains Garnet deposit
Andradite
USA
Arizona, Graham Co., Gray Throne prospect (Gray Thorne [?]
You may never see another good Andradite specimens from this location. Very Rare.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
United States
Arizona, Graham Co., San Carlos Indian Reservation, Santa Teresa Mts, Stanley District, Quartzite Mountain Garnets), Quartzite Mountain, (Stanley Butte [nearby]
One of the best known localities for andradite in the United States is Stanley Buttes. Over the years, in the last half of the 20th century, many specimens of free standing greenish brown crystals have been collected and sold to collectors. Crystals to about 5 cm in diameter are reported. Most crystals are less than 2 cm in diameter, opaque, and not very shiny, but make pleasing specimens. The crystals are almost always found growing wall to wall and I don’t think I have ever seen a specimen with isolated crystals. I suppose that the best specimens from here might bring two or three hundred dollars and you should be able to get a decent one for less than $50. The locality is on the edge of an Indian reservation and collecting is usually not permitted. If access were unrestricted there would be many more good specimens from this locality available on the market. Most of the specimens pictures above are not typical. Only the first one on the left is somewhat representative of the locality, but it is a fine specimen from there.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
USA
Arizona, Santa Cruz Co., Patagonia Mts, Patagonia District, Washington Camp-Duquesne District
Andradite
USA
Arkansas, Garland County, Magnet Cove
“Some fine melanite crystals occur in Magnet Cove, Garland County”1 I have never seen any. Perhaps someone out there can point me to some or send me an image of a good specimen?
1. Mineralogy for Amateurs, Sinkankas, p539.
Andradite
USA
California, Calaveras Co., Garnet Hill, Miracle Mountain Mine
This locality has been collected at for years by collectors. Many hundreds of specimens have been produced, but very few of them are complete and without damage.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
USA
California, Calaveras Co., Garnet Hill
Here are found “Fine brown andradite crystals to 2” in diameter, with quartz, calcite and epidote” according to (Sinkankas, Mineralogy p539). These crystals are usually found growing wall to wall and frequently exhibit damage due to the way they grow and the methods used in collecting them. Decent specimens from this locality can be had from time to time for less than $50. They would be more abundant if they were easier to collect or if there was more demand for them. The specimen pictured here is about 8 cm in diameter and must be one of the best ever collected at the locality.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
USA
California, Riverside Co., Nuevo
The specimen is know for its Andradite garnets but the crystals are rarely free standing and it takes a minor miracle to have one break out clean like this onw, which is perhaps the best one ever found.
[Rock Currier]
Andradite
USA
California, San Benito Co., New Ideira District
Good specimens of black melanite crystals and a few good specimens of the topazolite variety of andradite are found at various localities in San Benito County. The melanite crystals from here are exceptionally sharp and shiny though rarely reaching a cm in size. The crystals are found freestanding in shrinkage cracks in the metamorphic rocks of the region and though they are usually smaller than a centimeter in diameter, their sharpness and brilliant luster makes them very attractive to collectors. The few very good melanites that have been found would probably command more than a thousand dollars but most of the specimens from here will bring less than a hundred and representative specimens can be had for much less.
The topazolite variety occur in translucent to transparent amber to greenish brown freestanding crystals that have a devoted following and I have seen a few pleasant specimens, but nothing that would start a riot. This variety is much less common than the melanite variety. The largest crystals might reach about a cm. Steve Smale of Berkley, California has the best specimen of this variety that I have seen and it is probably worth somewhere from $5000 to $10,000 dollars. It is much better than the next best one I have seen. Field collectors that frequent San Benito County and those who lust after California specimens look at this specimen and weep.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
USA
California, San Benito Co., New Idria District, Yellow Cat Mine
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
USA
Colorado, Fremont Co., Eight Mile Park pegmatite District, Mica Lode mine (Mica Hill Mine)
This is not a very significant specimen and perhaps we should not have included it here. We may remove it at a later date if we can find out nothing about the locality.
Andradite
USA
Idaho, Adams Co., Seven Devils District, Cuprum, Peacock Mine (South Peacock; Darland; Peacock & South Peacock)
Andradite
USA
Idaho, Latah Co. Emerald Creek
Andradite
USA
Nevada, Pershing Co., Nightingale District
Andradite
USA
New Jersey, Sussex County, Franklin
There are some collectors of minerals that think that the sun rises and sets on the minerals from Franklin and will pay amazing prices for fine andradite garnets and other specimens from these deposits. These garnets are usually brown, can be 8 cm across, but are usually damaged. Some specimens have smaller shiny black crystals but again almost all show substantial damage. These crystals, like most of the minerals at Franklin and Sterling Hill, do not grow free standing in pockets. Similar looking garnet specimens from other localities would many times be thrown as not worth having. I have always considered this fascination and mania for Franklin to be some sort of local temporary madness, but it has been going on now for over a hundred years, and there is no sign that sanity is returning to those afflicted. I am including these pictures mostly because the collectors who love this stuff will be upset if I don't
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
USA
New Jersey, Sussex County, Balls Hill
No picture available
“Very brilliant black dodecahedrons were found, one of which is recorded as nearly 7” diameter…”.1 I have never seen any. Does any one out there know where there is a fine specimen?
1. Mineralogy for Amateurs, Sinkankas. P539.
Andradite
USA
New Mexico, Otero Co., Orogrande District, Orogrande, Jarilla Mountains
Andradite
USA
Pennsylvania, Lebanon Co., Cornwall, Cornwall Mines
The mines here “are noted for dark olive-green striated trapezohedrens to 2¼” diameter.”1 Genth reports crystals over 1 cm in 1875. A decent 10 cm specimen with one of the crystals about 2 cm across is in the Jefferis collection at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At Cornwall in Lebanon County, sharp striated, bronzy-green dodecahedrons to 3 cm have been found. I have never seen one I would want to put in my collection nor a good one for sale. But I would make an exception for the one pictured above.
1. Mineralogy for Amateurs, Sinkankas. P539.
Andradite
USA
Pennsylvania, York Co., Steelton quadrangle, Reeser's Summit
Created 2009 Rock Currier
1st revision July 15, 2011 Rock Currier
Click here to view Best Minerals, Andradite A to M. Click here to view Best Minerals A and here for Best Minerals A to Z and here for Fast Navigation of completed Best Minerals articles.
Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.
Edited 13 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/2011 02:52PM by Rock Currier.
Can you help make this a better article? What good localities have we missed? Can you supply pictures of better specimens than those we show here? Can you give us more and better information about the specimens from these localities? Can you supply better geological or historical information on these localities?
Andradite
Namibia
Erongo Region, Karibib District, Tubussis 22 farm (Tubussis; Tubusis; Tubessis)
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| Andradite, 4.4cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite v. demantoid 5cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 5.7cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 2.2cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite on Quartz, 3.2cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite on Quartz 1.7cm tall | © Rob Lavinsky |
This locality has sparingly produced good specimens of the demantoid variety of Andradite and some others as well. Many of the best ones were marketed by Charles Kee who has recently spent a lot of time living in Namibia.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
Norway
Aust-Agder, Arendal
“In large dodecahedrons at Arendal in Aust-Agder… .”1 There are a couple of pictures of Andradite crystals from this locality here on mindat, but they are less than compelling. Certainly some red patriotic Norwegian collector can supply is with a good picture of a fine Andradite specimen from this famous old locality.
1. A Textbook of Mineralogy, Edward Dana, William Ford, 4th edition, 1926, p. 596.
Andradite
Norway
Aust-Agder, Gjerstad
The specimen pictured above is an old one and is in the British Museum of Natural History. The black Andradite crystals up to about 12 mm are associated with feldspar crystals. Even though the specimen must have been exceptional in its day, because of the amount of damage on the specimen, it would not be thought highly of by modern collectors. You never see these specimens offered for sale.
Olav Revheim writes 2009: The Arendal and Gjerstad locations are distinct locations and refers to administrative units (municipalities) in Aust Agder, Norway. Both locations belongs to the same geological province (the bamble formation), and the andradite from this area is found in iron rich skarns with magnetite, diopside, quartz, epidote, scapolite (probably marialite). Several of these skarn occurances has been mined for iron. The first mine (Barbu) opened in1585 and the Bråstad mine was not shut down until the 1970-ties. There has been dozens of mining operations in these skarns, and even more locations that has not been mined. Today most of these locations are lost through urban development and flooded mine shafts. The best crystals can be quite good, and I think I remember some excellent specimens from the local museum in Arendal. I cannot recall the crystal size. These specimens are rare on the marked today, and I would suspect that the best specimens can be found in European Museum collections and older private collections in Norway. I suggest that the location Arendal Iron mines or more correctly "Greater Arendal iron skarn locations" can be used for these andradites, just noting that some of these iron mines are located outside the current Arendal municipality. Also the Grua area and Drammensmarka are good Norwegian andradite locations. As soon as we have some good images of these specimens uploaded to mindat, we will include them here. Here is a map that may help you orient the locality.
Andaradite
Norway
Buskerud, Drammen, Drammensmarka, 5 Minuite
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| Andradite 11cm wide | © A. Michalsen |
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| Andradite 10cm wide | © A. Michalsen |
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
Norway
Finnmark, Hasvik, Sørøya, Haraldseng
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| Andradite on Calcite 6cm wide | © A. Michalsen |
Andradite
Norway
Oppland, Lunner, Grua, Grua Tunnel
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| Andradite in Calcite 6cm wide | © Knut Eldjarn |
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
Pakistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North-West Frontier Province), Malakand Region, Swat District (Swat Valley), Mullah Yusef
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| Andradite 7.2cm tall | © Rob Lavinsky |
Andradite
Pakistan
Northern Areas, Baltistan, Skardu District, Haramosh Mts., Shengus (Shingus)
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| Andradite, 6.1cm | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite, 5.9cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
Peru
Huancavelica Department, Castrovirreyna Province, Castrovirreyna District, Pampa Blanca, Rosario Mabel claim (Flor de Peru II claim)
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| Andradite & Quartz 6.5cm tall | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 10.0cm wide | © Yves Masson |
Andradite
Peru
Ica Department, Pisco Province, Quebrada Rio Seco
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| Andradite 11,2cm | © Rob Lavinsky |
Andradite
Poland
Évora District, Évora, Arraiolos
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| Andradite 6cm wide | © Martins da Pedra |
Andradite
Portugal
Lisboa District, Sintra, Linhó
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| Andradite 4cm wide | © Martins da Pedra |
We need someone to tell us about the Andradites from this locality.
Andradite
Portugal
Portalegre District, Monforte
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| Andradite 7cm wide | © Martins da Pedra |
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| Andradite 6cm wide | © Martins da Pedra |
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| Andradite xls to 1cm | © Martins da Pedra |
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| Andradite xls to 2cm | © Martins da Pedra |
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| Andradite 3.5cm tall | © Martins da Pedra |
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| Andradite 8.5cm tall | © Rui Nunes 2011 |
We need someone to tell us about the Andradites from this locality.
Andradite
Romania
Caras-Severin Co., Banat Mts, Ocna de Fier-Dognecea District, Dognecea (Dognácska; Dognaczka)
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| Andradite 5.3cm wide | © CCURTO08 |
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| Andradite 8cm wide | © 2003 John H. Betts |
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| Andradite 4.5cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
Russia
Eastern-Siberian Region, Krasnoyarsk Territory (Krasnoyarsk Kray; Krasnoyarskii Krai), Bolshaya Irba Village, Irbinskoe (Irbinskoye) deposit
Andradite
Russia
Eastern-Siberian Region, Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e), Irkutskaya Oblast', Zheleznogorsk, Korshunovskoye (Korzunovskoe; Korzhunovska; Korshunovskiy) Iron mine
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| Andradite 3.4 & 2.9cm | © Rob Lavinsky |
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite garnets from this locality.
Andradite
Russia
Eastern-Siberian Region, Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia), Vilyui River Basin (Vilui River Basin; Wilui River Basin), Chernyshevsk
No pictures available
Euhedral sea green to olive green crystals, usually singles up to about 3 cm in diameter. These have come trickling out over a period of years and though interesting can usually be had for less than $50. Certainly at one time they were locally abundant.
Andradite
Russia
Far-Eastern Region, Chukotskii Autonomous Okrug, Tamvatney, Anadyr
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| Andradite 3.8cm wide | © Oleg Lopatkin |
Andradite
Russia
Far-Eastern Region, Primorskiy Kray, Dal'negorsk (Dalnegorsk; Tjetjuche; Tetjuche) Dal'negorsk B deposit, Bor Pit (Boron Pit; Bor Quarry)
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| Andradite & Quartz 5cm | © Tony Peterson |
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| Andradite, 5.5cm wide | © Oleg Lopatkin |
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| Andradite, 5.3cm | © JSS |
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| Aandradite, 6.4cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 3.4cm wide | © JSS |
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| Andradite 6.3cm wide | © vasco trancoso |
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| Andradite 3.4cm wide | © John Sobolewski |
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| Andradite 3.7cm wide | © John Sobolewski |
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| Andradite 5cm wide | © Jasun McAvoy |
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| Andradite 6.3cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite & Hedenbergite 6.0cm | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 5.2cm wide | © JSS |
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| Andradite & Quartz 4.6cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
These are collected from a large open pit mine that opens almost right in the center of town. It is a skarn and they are mining Datolite for the production of Borate minerals. The mine usually has many open pockets on its benches and has produced probably the finest specimens of daotlite known. It is also well known for its Axinite, Hedenbergite and Ilvaite and Calcite specimens. When Russia was a fortress economy during the cold war, such a mine could be justified, but although the mine is still operating on a small scale it is not profitable to run. The reason is that it is much more costly to extract borates from Datolite than from crystallized borax which is being currently mined in Turkey, California and Argentina
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
Russia
Far-Eastern Region, Primorskiy Kray, Dal'negorsk (Dalnegorsk; Tjetjuche; Tetjuche), Kavalerovo Mining District, Sinerechenskiy Mine; Blue River), Sinerechenskoe skarn occurrence (Sinerechenskoye; Sineretschenskoye
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| Andradite, 10cm wide | © 2001 John H. Betts |
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| Andradite, ~12cm wide | © Joseph A. Freilich |
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| Andradite, 5.5cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite, 7.5cm wide | © JA |
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| Andradite 3.9cm tall | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 10cm tall | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 8cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 3.7cm wide | © Oleg Lopatkin |
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| Andradite 10.9cm wide | © Dan & Diana Weinrich Minerals |
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| Andradite 11.4cm, wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 6.7cm wide | © Oleg Lopatkin |
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| Andradite 8.7cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
It is a really big skarn and besides the open pit mine where they mine Datolite for the production of borates, there are a number of base metal deposits that have been mined over the years and some of the mines are still active. This district is not particularly well known for its andradite specimens, but as you can see from the above images, they have produced many fine specimens.
Andradite
Russia
Northern Caucasus Region, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Baksan Valley, Tyrnyauz Mo-W Deposit
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| Andradite & Quartz 6.5cm wide | © Oleg Lopatkin |
Andradite
Russia
Urals Region, Middle Urals, Ekaterinburgskaya (Sverdlovskaya) Oblast', Asbest, Bazhenovskoe deposit
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| Andradite 11.2cm wide | © Oleg Lopatkin |
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| Andradite 8cm wide | © Lopatkin Oleg |
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| Andradite 5cm wide | © Lopatkin Oleg |
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| Andradite 4cm wide | © Igor Savin |
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| Andradite 2cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite on Diopside 2.4cm wide | © Igor Savin |
Andradite
Russia
Urals Region, Middle Urals, Ekaterinburgskaya (Sverdlovskaya) Oblast', Ekaterinburg (Sverdlovsk), Poldnevaya village
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| Andradite var. demantoid ~14mm wide | © M. Kalishin |
Andradite
Russia
Urals Region, Southern Urals, Chelyabinsk Oblast', Korkodin, Korkodinskoe (Karkodinskoe; Novo-Karkodinskoe) demantoid deposit
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| Andradite 3.4cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
Andradite
Russia
Northern Region, Karelia Republic, Ladoga Region, Pitkyaranta (Pitkäranta) District, Sortavala, Kitelskoe (Kitelsk; Kitelskoye) Sn-Zn deposit
This specimen is in the British Museum of Natural History. The locality is mentioned in Dana's Text 4th edition as being from Finland. Since that time Russia took over the territory and now the locality is in Russia. The specimens were fairly abundant at one time and the specimen pictured was considered to be a good specimen. It has fairly sharp if not shiny black crystals to about 12 mm. You rarely see them for sale.
Andradite
Russia
Northern Region, Murmanskaja Oblast', Kola Peninsula, Kovdor Massif, Kovdor Mine
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| Andradite v. demantoid close up | © Alex |
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this mine.
Andradite
South Africa
Northern Cape Province, Kalahari manganese fields, Wessels Mine (Wessel's Mine), Hotazel
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| Andradite, 6.3cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite on Hematite 13.3cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Same as left 5.6cm tall | © Lavinsky |
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| Andradite, 4.6cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 4.3cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite @ Rhodochrosite 5.6cm | © Lavinsky |
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| Andradite on Hematite 7.3cm tall | © Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 5.2cm tall | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 6.2cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
These are manganese mines and are not far from Kuraman. The best andradite specimens have been found at the Wessels mine. “Colors vary from brown and red-brown to yellowish red, with smaller orange and red translucent crystals and two occurrences from Wessels of pale-green crystals. Crystal sizes varies from less than 1 mm to 15 mm, averaging abound 5 mm.”1 These andradite crystals are not particularly notable, but their association with crystals of hausmannite, barite, calcite, celestite, hematite, tephroite and sturmanite often makes striking and mineralogically fascinating specimens.
1. Mineralogical Record, Vol. 22, 1991, p 281.
Andradite
South Africa
Northern Cape Province, Kalahari manganese fields, N'Chwaning Mines, N'Chwaning II Mine
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| Andradite on Hematite 3.2cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite, 6cm wide | © Debbie Woolf |
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| Andradite 3.1cm tall | © JSS |
We need someone to tell us about the andradite specimens from this mine.
Andradite
Spain
Andalusia, Huelva, Cala, Cala Mines, Manuel-Mercedes Mine
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| 1.2cm Andradite | © Martins da Pedra |
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| 2.5cm tall | © Martins da Pedra |
Andradite
Spain
Asturias, Salas, Carlés, Carlés Mine
Andradite
Spain
Extremadura, Badajoz, Burguillos del Cerro, Milucha Mine
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| Andradite 4cm wide | © José Luis Carrizo |
Andradite
Spain
Extremadura, Badajoz, Burguillos del Cerro, Monchi Mine
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| Andradite 7cm wide | © Martins da Pedra |
Andradite
Spain
Extremadura, Badajoz, Monesterio, Aguablanca Mine (Agua Blanca Mine)
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| Andradite, 1.8cm wide | © Marek Patúš |
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
Sweden
Gästrikland, Hofors, Torsåker, Linderås Mines
Andradite
Sweden
Lappland, Ultevis
Andradite
Switzerland
Wallis (Valais), Zermatt - Saas Fee area
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| Andradite, FOV 5mm | © D. Schläfli |
We need someone to tell us about the andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
UK
Scotland, Buchan Grampian (Aberdeenshire), Aberdeen, Rubislaw Quarry
This old British Museum specimen, exceptional for the UK, would not be of interest except to those who specialize in minerals from UK. It does have a classical ding in the classical spot. Andradite (melanite) garnets are an essencial ingredient of the rock called Borrolanite near loch Borrolan, Sutherland, in the north west of Scotland.1
1. Emial communication Spencer I. Mather 2009.
Andradite
USA
Alaska,Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Borough, Prince of Wales Island, Copper Mountain
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| Andradite, 5cm wide | © 2002 John H. Betts |
The specimen above may be the best one from this locality you will ever see.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
USA
Arizona, Gila Co., Dripping Spring Mts, Banner District, Christmas area, Christmas, Dripping Springs Mountains Garnet deposit
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| Andradite 5.5cm tall | © Eric Graff |
Andradite
USA
Arizona, Graham Co., Gray Throne prospect (Gray Thorne [?]
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| Andradite, 4.8cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
You may never see another good Andradite specimens from this location. Very Rare.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
United States
Arizona, Graham Co., San Carlos Indian Reservation, Santa Teresa Mts, Stanley District, Quartzite Mountain Garnets), Quartzite Mountain, (Stanley Butte [nearby]
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| Andradite, 8cm wide | © 2001 John H. Betts |
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| Andradite ~7cm wide. | © |
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| Andradite & Quartz 2.5cm wide | © 2002 John H. Betts |
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| Andradite, 2.2cm wide | © 2006 SLR |
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| Andradite 6cm wide | © 2002 John H. Betts |
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| Andradite 5cm wide | © 2002 John H. Betts |
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| Andradite 9.5cm wide | © Michael C. Roarke |
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| Andradite 8.9cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 4.8cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 4.9cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite & Quartz 6cm wide | © Joseph A. Freilich |
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| Andradite 9.1cm tall | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite 4.8cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
One of the best known localities for andradite in the United States is Stanley Buttes. Over the years, in the last half of the 20th century, many specimens of free standing greenish brown crystals have been collected and sold to collectors. Crystals to about 5 cm in diameter are reported. Most crystals are less than 2 cm in diameter, opaque, and not very shiny, but make pleasing specimens. The crystals are almost always found growing wall to wall and I don’t think I have ever seen a specimen with isolated crystals. I suppose that the best specimens from here might bring two or three hundred dollars and you should be able to get a decent one for less than $50. The locality is on the edge of an Indian reservation and collecting is usually not permitted. If access were unrestricted there would be many more good specimens from this locality available on the market. Most of the specimens pictures above are not typical. Only the first one on the left is somewhat representative of the locality, but it is a fine specimen from there.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
USA
Arizona, Santa Cruz Co., Patagonia Mts, Patagonia District, Washington Camp-Duquesne District
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| Andradite 12.3cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
Andradite
USA
Arkansas, Garland County, Magnet Cove
“Some fine melanite crystals occur in Magnet Cove, Garland County”1 I have never seen any. Perhaps someone out there can point me to some or send me an image of a good specimen?
1. Mineralogy for Amateurs, Sinkankas, p539.
Andradite
USA
California, Calaveras Co., Garnet Hill, Miracle Mountain Mine
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| Andradite 8.8cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
This locality has been collected at for years by collectors. Many hundreds of specimens have been produced, but very few of them are complete and without damage.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
USA
California, Calaveras Co., Garnet Hill
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| Andradite, 6cm wide | © Joseph A. Freilich |
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| Andradite & Epidote, 7.6cm | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite, 6.2cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
Here are found “Fine brown andradite crystals to 2” in diameter, with quartz, calcite and epidote” according to (Sinkankas, Mineralogy p539). These crystals are usually found growing wall to wall and frequently exhibit damage due to the way they grow and the methods used in collecting them. Decent specimens from this locality can be had from time to time for less than $50. They would be more abundant if they were easier to collect or if there was more demand for them. The specimen pictured here is about 8 cm in diameter and must be one of the best ever collected at the locality.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
USA
California, Riverside Co., Nuevo
The specimen is know for its Andradite garnets but the crystals are rarely free standing and it takes a minor miracle to have one break out clean like this onw, which is perhaps the best one ever found.
[Rock Currier]
Andradite
USA
California, San Benito Co., New Ideira District
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| Andradite, 5cm wide | © 2003 John H. Betts |
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| Andradite v. topazolite, 2cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite, 8.2cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| 5mm Andradite xl | © minresco |
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| Andradite 5.7cm wide | © Rob Lavinsky |
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| Andradite ~8cm wide | © |
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| Andradite 6.7cm wide | © Weinrich |
Good specimens of black melanite crystals and a few good specimens of the topazolite variety of andradite are found at various localities in San Benito County. The melanite crystals from here are exceptionally sharp and shiny though rarely reaching a cm in size. The crystals are found freestanding in shrinkage cracks in the metamorphic rocks of the region and though they are usually smaller than a centimeter in diameter, their sharpness and brilliant luster makes them very attractive to collectors. The few very good melanites that have been found would probably command more than a thousand dollars but most of the specimens from here will bring less than a hundred and representative specimens can be had for much less.
The topazolite variety occur in translucent to transparent amber to greenish brown freestanding crystals that have a devoted following and I have seen a few pleasant specimens, but nothing that would start a riot. This variety is much less common than the melanite variety. The largest crystals might reach about a cm. Steve Smale of Berkley, California has the best specimen of this variety that I have seen and it is probably worth somewhere from $5000 to $10,000 dollars. It is much better than the next best one I have seen. Field collectors that frequent San Benito County and those who lust after California specimens look at this specimen and weep.
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
USA
California, San Benito Co., New Idria District, Yellow Cat Mine
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| Andradite v. topazolite, 3.9cm wide | © fabreminerals.com |
We need someone to tell us about the Andradite specimens from this locality.
Andradite
USA
Colorado, Fremont Co., Eight Mile Park pegmatite District, Mica Lode mine (Mica Hill Mine)
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| Andradite, 2cm wide | © 2002 John H. Betts |
This is not a very significant specimen and perhaps we should not have included it here. We may remove it at a later date if we can find out nothing about the locality.
Andradite
USA
Idaho, Adams Co., Seven Devils District, Cuprum, Peacock Mine (South Peacock; Darland; Peacock & South Peacock)
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| Andradite 2.3cm wide | © DSW 2011 |
Andradite
USA
Idaho, Latah Co. Emerald Creek
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| Andradite 4cm tall | © Rob Lavinsky |
Andradite
USA
Nevada, Pershing Co., Nightingale District
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| Andradite 6.5cm wide | © Eric Graff |
Andradite
USA
New Jersey, Sussex County, Franklin
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| Andradite, ~8cm wide | © |
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| Andradite 6.8cm wide | © Weinrich Minerals, Inc. |
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| Andradite 7cm wide | © |
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| Andradite 7cm wide | © |
There are some collectors of minerals that think that the sun rises and sets on the minerals from Franklin and will pay amazing prices for fine andradite garnets and other specimens from these deposits. These garnets are usually brown, can be 8 cm across, but are usually damaged. Some specimens have smaller shiny black crystals but again almost all show substantial damage. These crystals, like most of the minerals at Franklin and Sterling Hill, do not grow free standing in pockets. Similar looking garnet specimens from other localities would many times be thrown as not worth having. I have always considered this fascination and mania for Franklin to be some sort of local temporary madness, but it has been going on now for over a hundred years, and there is no sign that sanity is returning to those afflicted. I am including these pictures mostly because the collectors who love this stuff will be upset if I don't
[Rock Currier 2009]
Andradite
USA
New Jersey, Sussex County, Balls Hill
No picture available
“Very brilliant black dodecahedrons were found, one of which is recorded as nearly 7” diameter…”.1 I have never seen any. Does any one out there know where there is a fine specimen?
1. Mineralogy for Amateurs, Sinkankas. P539.
Andradite
USA
New Mexico, Otero Co., Orogrande District, Orogrande, Jarilla Mountains
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| Andradite 3cm wide | © Darren Court |
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| Andradite 4cm wide | © Darren Court |
Andradite
USA
Pennsylvania, Lebanon Co., Cornwall, Cornwall Mines
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| Andradite, 43cm wide | © Joseph A. Freilich |
The mines here “are noted for dark olive-green striated trapezohedrens to 2¼” diameter.”1 Genth reports crystals over 1 cm in 1875. A decent 10 cm specimen with one of the crystals about 2 cm across is in the Jefferis collection at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At Cornwall in Lebanon County, sharp striated, bronzy-green dodecahedrons to 3 cm have been found. I have never seen one I would want to put in my collection nor a good one for sale. But I would make an exception for the one pictured above.
1. Mineralogy for Amateurs, Sinkankas. P539.
Andradite
USA
Pennsylvania, York Co., Steelton quadrangle, Reeser's Summit
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| Andradite 5.5cm wide | © J. Nemitz |
Created 2009 Rock Currier
1st revision July 15, 2011 Rock Currier
Click here to view Best Minerals, Andradite A to M. Click here to view Best Minerals A and here for Best Minerals A to Z and here for Fast Navigation of completed Best Minerals articles.
Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.
Edited 13 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/2011 02:52PM by Rock Currier.
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Re: Andradite N to Z July 18, 2011 03:22AM |
Adradite from Ball's Hill, Franklin, NJ (#1) 10 x 12 cm
Andradite from Franklin, NJ (#2) 6 x 7 cm
Andradite from Franklin, NJ (#3) 7 cm wide
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Re: Andradite N to Z July 18, 2011 03:28AM |
Andradite, from Franklin, NJ (#4) 7 x 6 cm
Andradite, from Franklin, NJ (#5) 7 x 4 cm
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Re: Andradite N to Z July 18, 2011 03:42AM |
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Re: Andradite N to Z July 18, 2011 03:45AM |
Andradite, from Franklin, NJ 8 x 7 cm
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Re: Andradite N to Z July 18, 2011 02:54PM |
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Locality Updated: Trübenbach, Gaming, Mostviertel, Lower Austria, AustriaFrom Harald Schillhammer, 23rd May 2013 08:47:24