Andradite var. Demantoid

A gorgeously formed lustrous ribbon of intergrown gemmy-translucent green Demantoid crystals measuring overall to 4 cm on a creamy white Feldspar, from Madagascar. Each of the four crystals is an equant 1 x 1 x 1 cm, three of which are mid-limey apple-green with one crystal, at the end, a purer lime-green. The crystals form the dodecahedron combined with a trapezohedron and have smooth mirror-like faces and a bright glassy lustre. This deposit is mined in one of the world’s stranger locations, that of an intertidal area of mangrove swamp where local miners dig a myriad of approximately 3 m diameter pits which refill with water every high tide. The deposit carries the charismatic name of the Antetezambato Demantoid - Topazolite mine and lies in the Diana Region of Madagascar. Good quality specimens such as this are extremely rare.