0.60 lbs Raspberry Garnet & Vesuvianite (1 pc) - Collector Minerals L229
This specimen 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 tones, a paragenesis highly appreciated by both collectors and students of skarn mineralogy.
The piece, weighing 0.60 lbs (274 grams) and measuring 9 x 6 x 5 cm, is a specimen of ideal size for display in a showcase. In it, the dodecahedral and trapezohedral garnet crystals are clearly distinguished, with their characteristic raspberry-pink to magenta color, several of them showing the typical darker or lighter zonal core surrounded by edges of intense pink tone, an aesthetic feature highly sought after by collectors. These crystals are disseminated on a white and grayish skarn matrix (composed of calcite, wollastonite and other calcium silicates), in which the zones of Vesuvianite in honey-yellow, amber and greenish tones also stand out, providing an exceptional chromatic and mineralogical richness to the whole.
The detailed photographs reveal the beauty of this association: the contrast between the intense pink of the garnet, the warm yellow of the vesuvianite and the light background of the matrix creates a very attractive three-dimensional visual effect, characteristic of the finest specimens from this locality. This combination 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 conditions for the simultaneous crystallization of garnet and vesuvianite.
As revealed by the photographs, this unique piece offers a balanced distribution of both minerals, with well-defined raspberry garnet crystals and areas where the yellowish vesuvianite and the skarn matrix are appreciated, providing a complete visual experience from any angle. It is an exceptional selection for serious collectors looking for representative specimens of this classic Mexican association, perfect for both mineralogical study and prominent display in any collection.
Specimen Specifications:
- Quantity: 1 natural pc.
- Total weight: 0.60 lbs.
- Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 5 cm.
- Minerals: Raspberry Garnet (Grossular/Andradite) and Vesuvianite (Idocrase).
- Locality: Coahuila, Mexico (Sierra de Cruces, Múzquiz).
- Reference: 526 - Lot 229.
