Difference between revisions of "Garnet"

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{{edit|--[[User:Doos|Doos]] 06:18, 8 December 2006 (PST)}}
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{{garnet}}
 
{{garnet}}
  
Garnet is a group of minerals, with similar chemical composition and a common crystal habit. The following are the 6 members of the garnet family:
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Garnet is the family name given to a series of members, with a common crystal habit and slighly different chemical make-up ([[Isomorphous_replacement|isomorphous]]). The following are the 6 members of the garnet family:
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* Pyrope
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* Almandine
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* Spessartite
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* Uvarovite
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* Grossular
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* Andradite
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According to similarities in the chemical composition, we can divide the above members of the garnet family into two groups.
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* PyrAlSpites (Pyrope, Almandine, Spessartite)
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* UGrAndites (Uvarovite, Grossular, Andradite)
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All the above members are rarely found with an ideal chemical make-up, instead they form isomorphous series. Most gem quality garnets belong to either of the following 5 isomorphous series and their chemical composition is an intermediate between the two endmembers mentioned.
  
Almandine<br>
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* Pyrope-Almandine
Pyrope<br>
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* Pyrope-Spessartite
Grossular<br>
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* Spessartite-Almandine
Spessartite<br>
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* Pyrope-Grossular
Andradite<br>
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* Grossular-Andradite
Uvarovite
 

Revision as of 07:18, 8 December 2006

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--Doos 06:18, 8 December 2006 (PST)
Garnet
Chemical composition L3M2(SiO4)3

Isomorphous series

Crystal system Cubic
Habit Dodecahedra
Cleavage None
Hardness 6.5-7.5
Optic nature Isotropic
Refractive index 1.74-1.89
Birefringence None
Specific gravity 3.60-4.20
Lustre Vitreous to sub-adamantine

Garnet is the family name given to a series of members, with a common crystal habit and slighly different chemical make-up (isomorphous). The following are the 6 members of the garnet family:

  • Pyrope
  • Almandine
  • Spessartite
  • Uvarovite
  • Grossular
  • Andradite

According to similarities in the chemical composition, we can divide the above members of the garnet family into two groups.

  • PyrAlSpites (Pyrope, Almandine, Spessartite)
  • UGrAndites (Uvarovite, Grossular, Andradite)

All the above members are rarely found with an ideal chemical make-up, instead they form isomorphous series. Most gem quality garnets belong to either of the following 5 isomorphous series and their chemical composition is an intermediate between the two endmembers mentioned.

  • Pyrope-Almandine
  • Pyrope-Spessartite
  • Spessartite-Almandine
  • Pyrope-Grossular
  • Grossular-Andradite