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Spessartine, also known as spessartite, is a manganese aluminum garnet that typically exhibits vibrant orange to reddish-orange hues. It's a gem-quality mineral that is part of the larger garnet family. The color intensity can vary, with the most sought-after shades being a bright, intense orange.

Key characteristics of spessartite:

Composition:

It's primarily a manganese aluminum garnet, but often contains minor amounts of other elements like iron.

Color:

Spessartine's color range spans from yellow-orange to reddish-orange, with the most prized specimens displaying a pure, intense orange.

Hardness:

Spessartine has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it durable enough for use in jewelry.

Brilliance:

It's known for its brilliance due to a high refractive index and relatively high dispersion.

Inclusions:

Fine spessartines may contain inclusions known as "sugar" that can create a soft glow.

Cut:

Spessartite is often faceted to enhance its brilliance and color.

Occurrence:

It's found in various geological settings, including granite pegmatites, felsic lavas, and metamorphic rocks.

Rarity:

While not as common as other garnets, fine spessartine is still a relatively rare gem.