GROSSULAR, variety Hessonite
Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
Alpe Frasse, Valle di Susa, Italy

The Italian Alps are famous for producing exceptional specimens of the orange to red variety of grossular known as hessonite or essonite. Specimens such as this with hessonite in association with fine crystals of diopside are especially sought-after.

Size: 8.0 cm across

Acquired: 1987 Gem & Mineral Council purchase; available for adoption through the Adopt-a-Mineral program..

Disposition: On display in the Systematic Mineralogy exhibit.

Catalog Number: 25407