0.46 lbs Raspberry Garnet & Vesuvianite (2 pcs) - Collector Minerals L236
This set represents one of the most classic and coveted mineral associations from the state of Coahuila, Mexico: the combination of Raspberry Garnet with Vesuvianite (Idocrase), originating from the famous skarns of the Sierra de Cruces region, in the municipality of Múzquiz. This locality is recognized worldwide for producing garnets of an exceptional raspberry-pink color, frequently associated with crystals and aggregates of vesuvianite in warm and dark tones, a paragenesis highly appreciated by both collectors and students of skarn mineralogy.
The lot consists of 2 complementary-sized pieces, with a combined weight of 0.46 lbs (208 grams), making them ideal specimens for both display in a showcase and detailed study. In them, the dodecahedral and trapezohedral garnet crystals are clearly distinguished, with their characteristic raspberry-pink to magenta color and a notable vitreous luster. As revealed by the detailed photographs, the crystals show the typical and highly sought-after zonal growth: dark cores of vesuvianite and skarn minerals wrapped by edges and crowns of garnet of intense pink tone, an aesthetic feature that enhances the three-dimensionality of the specimen and makes it a very attractive piece for the collector.
These garnet crystals are disseminated on a white and grayish skarn matrix (composed of calcite, wollastonite and other calcium silicates), in which the Vesuvianite (Idocrase) is associated in honey-yellow, amber, greenish and dark tones, providing an exceptional chromatic and mineralogical richness to the whole. The combination of the vibrant raspberry-pink of the garnet, the warm and dark tones of the vesuvianite and the light, neutral background of the matrix creates a very attractive and balanced three-dimensional visual effect, characteristic of the specimens from this classic locality.
This association not only has high aesthetic value, but also significant scientific value, as it exemplarily illustrates the contact metamorphism processes that gave rise to the Coahuila skarns, where the intrusion of igneous rocks into limestones generated the ideal geochemical conditions for the simultaneous crystallization of calcium-rich garnet and vesuvianite. As revealed by the photographs, each piece offers a unique distribution of raspberry garnet crystals and vesuvianite zones on the skarn matrix, providing a complete and varied visual experience from any angle. It is an ideal selection for collectors looking for representative specimens of this classic Mexican association, perfect for both mineralogical study and prominent display in any collection.
Specimen Specifications:
- Quantity: 2 natural pcs.
- Total weight: 0.46 lbs.
- Minerals: Raspberry Garnet (Grossular/Andradite) and Vesuvianite (Idocrase).
- Locality: Coahuila, Mexico (Sierra de Cruces, Múzquiz).
- Reference: 526 - Lot 236.
