| Spessartite
is a rare form of garnet with an
unusually high index of refraction.
It has always been a rare stone.
Recent discoveries in Mozambique
and Nigeria led to an increase in
production over the last two years.
Although the output was significant,
the percentage of fine material
in larger sizes was very small.
Current spessartite prices are near
their historical lows but they are
definitely rising. Some gem quality
pieces are still available in Bangkok
but production in Africa has declined.
|
| Gemological
Information |
| Color
: |
Orange,
yellow, brown |
| Refractive
Index: |
1.79-1.81 |
| Chemical
Composition: |
Mn3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| Hardness: |
7.25 |
| Density |
4.14-4.20 |
| Crystal
Group: |
Cubic |
| Ocurrence: |
Germany,
Ceylon, Burma, Nigeria, Maevatanana-Madagascar,
Isoanala-Madagascar, East Africa. |
| There
will be more spessartite but how
deep will it be?, Will there be
water to mine it? Will there be
people to mine it? Will there be
roads nearby? Any fuel for mining?
Diseases? Surely they will find
it but who knows when, where or,
how much.
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