Spessartine is a member of the garnet family. Please see the garnet page for images and videos.
The garnet family also includes almandine, grossular, and pyrope.
Physical Properties |
|
| Chemical formula | Mn3Al2Si3O12 |
| Class | Nesosilicate |
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Habit | Dodecahedral Trapezohedral Usually euhedral to subhedral |
| Color | Pink to violet |
| Hardness | 7 |
| Specific gravity | 4.19 |
| Cleavage/fracture | None/subconchoidal |
| Luster | Resinous |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Streak | White |
Optical Properties |
|
| δ | None; garnet is isotropic |
| PPL | High relief Colorless to very pale May appear mottled grey |
| XPL | Isotropic |
| after Perkins, 338-339 |