Almandine from Garnet Ledge near Wrangell, Alaska – Red Garnet Crystals on Mica Schist

This Almandine specimen from Garnet Ledge near Wrangell in Alaska, USA, shows two clearly visible red Garnet crystals on a silvery-gray, mica-rich schist matrix. The larger Almandine measures approximately 1.0 × 1.0 cm and forms the visual centerpiece of the specimen due to its exposed position. A second crystal measuring approximately 7 × 8 mm is partly embedded in the matrix.

Measuring 5.2 × 4.0 × 2.4 cm and weighing 55.5 g, this is a small cabinet specimen. The strong red color of the Almandine crystals contrasts clearly with the gray, strongly micaceous matrix.

Red Almandine crystals on mica schist

The larger Almandine protrudes clearly from the matrix and shows several well-recognizable crystal faces. Depending on the lighting, its color ranges from dark red to more vivid red areas.

The crystals are predominantly opaque. Only locally do thinner or more strongly illuminated areas allow a small amount of light to pass through. As a result, individual parts of the main crystal can appear distinctly redder under direct illumination than the darker crystal areas.

In addition to the dominant main crystal, a second Almandine measuring approximately 7 × 8 mm is visible on another side of the matrix. This crystal is more strongly embedded in the schist, although its crystal form can still be clearly recognized.

The silvery-gray matrix has a distinctly schistose texture and contains numerous small mica surfaces. This creates a strong visual contrast between the sparkling matrix and the red Garnet crystals.

Almandine from Garnet Ledge near Wrangell

Garnet Ledge near Wrangell in Alaska is one of the classic localities for Almandine in the United States. The Garnets from this locality characteristically occur in mica-rich metamorphic rocks and have long been known as collector minerals.

On this specimen, the well-positioned main crystal is the dominant feature. The additional second Almandine and the strongly textured mica-schist matrix give the piece a pronounced locality character.