Class: silicates (silicates with isolated silica units)
Crystal system: cubic
Composition: iron aluminium silicate
Habit: dodecahedral or trapezohedral crystals
Refractive index: 1.78-1.83
Birefringence: none
Dispersion: 0.027
Specific gravity: 3.95-4.25
Hardness: 7-7.5
Cleavage: none
Fracture: conchoidal
Luster: vitreous
Notable locations: Alaska in the USA, Germany, Norway, India
Color: red to brown, sometimes purplish, and deep black-red
Almandine is the most common garnet, and is normally found in garnet schists (a type of metamorphic rock that occurs in flat layers and consists primarily of mica). Garnets displaying a reflection of light in the shape of a star (asterism) are not common. The name almandine has evolved from the name of a Turkish city called Alabanda.
Properties and characteristics: Pure almandine and pure pyrope are rare, and most specimens are intermediate between the two. They can be told apart by their density (almandine has a specific gravity of about 4.3 while pyrope has a specific gravity nearer to 3.6). The depth of its color varies enormously, depending upon the level of iron; magnesium can substitute for iron, making the stone more like pyrope. Although almandine has a brilliant luster, even clear stones have limited transparency because their color is so deep.
Cutting, setting, and valuing: Because almandines are so common (they are found worldwide), their value is low. Large crystals do exist, but because of their dark tone, only small to medium-sized gems are faceted. These stones are cut shallowly to allow the light to pass through. Almandine garnets from Idaho and India with rutile inclusions sometimes produce stones with an asterism when properly cut, these are highly prized by collectors. Darker almandines are often cut as cabochons, with the bottom of the stone hollowed out to encourage more light to filter through. Rose cuts have also been used, particularly in the past. Nowadays, when the material is quite transparent, faceted cuts are used as well, and sometimes square or rectangular step cuts. Gems of several carats are not uncommon.
