Almandine garnet

15 x 13 x 10 mm overall

A single, lustrous, purplish-red Almandine garnet to 10 mm is nicely perched on a small piece of platy, green Chlorite schist matrix. Loose crystals were available many years ago from this uncommon Alabama locale in the Appalachian Mountains, but matrix pieces of this quality were rare. The specimen displays well from all sides, and my photos can't capture the color of the garnet (because the matrix reflects so much light). This locality is closed to collecting, and this is an outstanding thumbnail for this Alabama locale, in pristine condition.