1.01 lbs Raspberry Garnet & Vesuvianite (1 pc) - Collector Minerals L231
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 1.01 lbs (456 grams) and with generous dimensions of 10 x 8 x 6 cm, is a specimen of imposing size, ideal for prominent display in a showcase. In it, the dodecahedral and trapezohedral garnet crystals are clearly distinguished, with their characteristic raspberry-pink to magenta color, disseminated over the entire surface of the specimen and showing in several points the typical zonal core surrounded by edges of intense pink tone. As prominently revealed by the detailed photographs, this piece also features very prominent and well-developed masses of Vesuvianite (Idocrase) in honey-yellow, amber and translucent golden tones, with vitreous to resinous luster, which contrast spectacularly with both the vibrant pink of the garnet and the light background of the matrix.
The garnet crystals and the vesuvianite masses are found on a white and grayish skarn matrix, composed mainly of calcite, wollastonite and other calcium silicates, providing an exceptional chromatic and mineralogical richness to the whole. The combination of the three components —the raspberry-pink of the garnet, the warm amber-yellow of the vesuvianite and the neutral white of the matrix— creates a very attractive and balanced three-dimensional visual effect, characteristic of the finest specimens from this 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, this unique piece offers a balanced distribution of both minerals over its entire surface, 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: 1.01 lbs.
- Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 6 cm.
- Minerals: Raspberry Garnet (Grossular/Andradite) and Vesuvianite (Idocrase).
- Locality: Coahuila, Mexico (Sierra de Cruces, Múzquiz).
- Reference: 526 - Lot 231.
