almandine garnet on matrix
pearl, red garnet, & almandine garnet earrings
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| composition | a member of the garnet family, an iron aluminum silicate |
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| name source | from an ancient gem cutting center in Asia Minor, the city of Alabanda (Republic of Turkey) |
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| other accepted names | almandite, Adelaide ruby, Oriental garnet, Indian garnet |
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| historical aliases | alabandicus (Pliny), arnata |
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| color | red to purplish red to black red |
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| color source | iridescence / sheen is from the presence of mica |
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| significant sources | India (Jaipur area), Russia (Urals), US (Wrangell, Alaska; Connecticut, Idaho) |
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| MOH scale | 7.5 |
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| care and treatment | Always use a dry soft cloth to clean. As with all gemstones, care should be taken to protect it from scratches, sharp blows, harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures. |
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