Rainbow garnet
Variety Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3
Also called Iridescent andradite
About it
Andradite garnet that shows rainbow colours from very thin growth layers. Known from Nara Prefecture in Japan and from Sonora, Mexico.
- Type
- Variety
- Group
- Andradite variety (garnet)
- Formula
- Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6.5–7
- Specific gravity
- 3.8–3.9
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy)
- Crystal system
- Isometric (cubic)
- Colours
- brown with rainbow iridescence
- Transparency
- opaque, translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- none; conchoidal to uneven fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.