Almandine is the most common mineral belonging to the garnet group. It is also most widely used in jewelry. Its color varies from pink (mostly in the case of little crystals) to deep red. The finest almandine crystals are used in jewelry, where they are frequently cut with a convex face or en cabochon.
Almandine
Basic properties
Composition
Fe32+Al2(SiO4)3
Class
Silicates (orthosilicates)
Crystal system
Cubic
Mohs' hardness
7-7,5
Fracture
Conchoidal
Cleavage
None
Lustre
Glassy
Streak
White
Localities
India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Austria, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Zambia, Madagascar, Norway