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GeneralGarnet from the Republic of Macedonia

19th Sep 2017 17:05 UTCWolfgang Hampel 🌟 Expert

04226010016028395917753.jpg
Hello,


Today I have been offered a fairly nice garnet crystal from the Republic of Macedonia, see attached photo. The crystal weighs 1140 grams, seems to be semi-translucent and not treated in any way. I have been told this is one of the smaller (!) ones. The source (not a mineral dealer) is, I think, reliable.


Has anyone of you ever seen garnets from the Republic of Macedonia of this size and colour? Looks almost a bit too nice to be true.


Any references / hints are welcome!


Regards

Wolfgang


19th Sep 2017 17:58 UTCPeter Slootweg 🌟

It looks very suspicious. Almost like a red glass. Crystals this size tend to be almost black. The shape of the reflecting face is also puzzling. It looks like a trapezohedron face but the angles do not match. the lower right angle should be 90 degrees if this were the case and at least two angles would be the same. secondly, specimens of this size are usually almandines and they have a dodecahedron shape. Unless its a giant spessartine or grossular it does not add up. More pictures would be welcome.

19th Sep 2017 18:59 UTCWolfgang Hampel 🌟 Expert

Thanks, Peter. I'll try to get more pictures, would like to see one of these in matrix. The fact that there should be a 90° angle in the trapezohedron could be due to some chipping, impossible to tell from the picture. Perhaps I'll go there later this year when I'll be back in Europe and have a look at the site. I've never been to Macedonia, so perhaps a good reason to go there.

19th Sep 2017 19:57 UTCMarcus Voigt

@Wolfgang:


not that size and not that color. be careful...


Weeks ago I saw a Garnet Specimen at e-rocks.......labeled from Malko Târnovo Obshtina.......absolutely untypical Matrix for Strandsha Mountain!


by the way: Balkan Peninsula Rules ;-)


Regards


Marcus

20th Sep 2017 01:54 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

I would also be suspicious as there are no photos in the database of Garnet from Macedonia, although that doesn't necessarily mean it isn't found there. As stated above, Garnet of that size is usually very dark red to black....
 
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