Spessartine Garnet on Feldspar

Description

An upright miniature dominated by a substantial deep wine-red Spessartine crystal, surrounded by abundant smaller Garnets on creamy Feldspar.

A large, sharply faceted Spessartine crystal dominates the principal display face. Its deep wine-red to reddish-brown colour and reflective faces create a clear focal point, with its three-dimensional form visible from several angles.

Numerous smaller Garnets are distributed across the surrounding matrix in cinnamon-orange, amber-red and burgundy tones. Their varied size, colour and lustre add extensive detail without obscuring the principal crystal.

The warm Garnets contrast strongly with the creamy-white Feldspar and darker matrix areas. The slender upright formation gives the specimen a confident display profile despite its compact dimensions.

The pale associated mineral is recorded as Feldspar and may be Orthoclase or Microcline; the precise Feldspar species has not been analytically confirmed. The specimen is mounted on a clear bevelled glass base for display.

Handling and care: Lift the specimen by its glass base and avoid pressure on projecting crystals. Keep dry and avoid chemical cleaners.

The recorded Feldspar association is part of the natural setting of this specimen. Feldspars are a broad family of rock-forming silicates, and their texture offers a useful contrast with the featured crystals. Seeing the minerals together preserves the relationship between the main growth and its host, adding interest to the overall arrangement.

The Feldspar matrix provides a contrasting setting for the featured crystals. Its pale, finely crystallised areas help define the darker or more strongly coloured growth, while the points where the minerals meet retain the natural relationship between them. The matrix is therefore part of the appeal of this piece, giving the main crystals a setting rather than presenting them in isolation.

Garnet is a group of related silicate minerals rather than a single composition. Its familiar many-faced crystals belong to the cubic system, and different members of the group can show very different colours. Where Spessartine is recorded, the identification refers to the manganese-aluminium member. The supplied species name for this individual listing is retained rather than inferred from colour alone.

The geometry of Garnet is particularly rewarding to study in a matrix specimen. Distinct faces catch separate reflections, allowing the outline of each crystal to stand out against the surrounding material. Smaller crystals and partly embedded growth can contribute to the arrangement too. Both the exposed crystal forms and the contrast with any recorded association are important to the piece’s individual character.

The recorded origin is Tongbei, Fujian, China. Within a collection of Garnet specimens, this locality gives the piece a geographical identity alongside its particular crystal habit and natural setting.

The specimen measures 4.5 × 3 × 1.8 cm. Its scale gives the natural architecture room to be appreciated as a whole, while the finer growth provides detail for closer study.

Condition: No repairs or artificial enhancement are known. Natural contacts, surface irregularities and minor edge wear may be present. Please examine all photographs carefully; the exact natural specimen shown will be supplied.

Support the stable matrix or the supplied mount when moving the specimen, avoiding pressure on projecting growth. A secure indoor display allows its natural form and surface detail to be appreciated while protecting exposed crystal edges.