Specimen #2017

Name: Melanite Garnet

Type: Mineral

Locality: Kayes Region, Mali

Favorite? N

Fluorescent? N

Size: 7.3 x 6.6 x 5.9 cm

Weight: 441

Acquired: 2010-06-29

Source: Arkenstone Auction

Label: N

Comment: A VERY LARGE AND FINE example for this locality - this is a 445 gram, very symmetric garnet crystal! It is contacted on the bottom where it grew against another giant crystal, and also on a small back face, but otherwise this is about 75% -80% complete on the faces, including all display faces. At over a pound in weight, it is a massive single crystal, and has such complex surface patterning that it looks very complicated despite its geometric simplicity. This is one of the best examples in size and beauty (lustre, color), that I have seen from this recent find. they have trickled out over the last 5 years or so to market, but really top pieces like this are quite rare. ex Matt Zukowski collection

Minerals: Garnet

There are 2 pictures on file

M02017-01.jpg:

Melanite Garnet, Kayes Region, Mali - 7.3 x 6.6 x 5.9 cm

M02017-02.jpg: