Grossular from Sierra de las Cruces, Mexico – Well-Formed Single Crystal

This Grossular from Sierra de las Cruces near Sierra Mojada in Coahuila, Mexico shows a very well-formed, compact single crystal with a clearly recognizable dodecahedral shape. The broad crystal faces are distinctly separated from one another and give the specimen a strong, almost textbook-like crystal form despite its subdued coloration.

With dimensions of 3.3 × 2.5 × 2.3 cm and a weight of 38.3 g, this is a compact Miniature specimen. The color ranges from gray-beige to brownish gray, with slightly lighter areas in places.

Dodecahedral Grossular single crystal

The main crystal shows a compact, nearly complete dodecahedral form. Several broad faces are clearly distinguishable and give the crystal a geometrically well-defined overall shape.

A smaller attached crystal or crystal area is present on one side. This only slightly interrupts the overall form and adds further interest to the specimen.

The surface appears finely matte to weakly lustrous and shows a slightly granular texture in places. The appeal of the specimen therefore lies less in intense color and more in its very clearly expressed crystal morphology.

Grossular from Sierra de las Cruces in Coahuila

Sierra de las Cruces near Sierra Mojada in Coahuila is one of the classic Mexican localities for Grossular. Well-formed single crystals and crystal groups are known from this locality, often showing a distinct dodecahedral morphology.

This specimen is especially interesting because of its compact, nearly complete crystal form. The broad, clearly defined faces make it an illustrative example of the typical crystal morphology of the garnet group.