Grossular
Real mineral · uncommon · Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
Calcium aluminium garnet occurring in a wide range of colours. The tsavorite and hessonite varieties are the most gem-significant. Forms in metamorphic skarns and marbles where calcium-rich and aluminium-rich rocks interact.
Identity
- Formula
- Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
- Chemical class
- silicate
- Mineral group
- Demantoid, Garnet, Spessartine, Tsavorite, Uvarovite
- Also known as
- Hessonite (orange-brown), Tsavorite (green), Leuco garnet (colorless)
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- cubic
- Habits
- dodecahedral, massive
- Fracture
- conchoidal
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 3.59 g/cm³
- Luster
- vitreous, resinous
- Colors
- orange, yellow, green, colorless, brown, pink
- Streak
- white
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
Geology
- Origins
- metamorphic
- Host rocks
- marble, skarn, schist
- Associated minerals
- Diopside, Wollastonite, Vesuvianite, Calcite
- Geography
- Canada, Kenya, Tanzania, Russia, Sri Lanka
Classification
- Rarity
- uncommon
- Gem quality
- Yes
Arcane properties
- Affinity
- earth, life
- Effects
- healing, warding
- Planar origin
- Material Plane
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