Comparison · Minerals
Almandine vs Grossular
Almandine and Grossular are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Both sit near Mohs 7–7.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Almandine and Grossular
- Both sit near Mohs 7–7.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Almandine feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.9–4.3 versus 3.4–3.8 for Grossular).
- They overlap in brown, but Almandine also comes in red and black and Grossular also comes in clear, green, yellow, orange, and pink.
Almandine vs Grossular properties
| Property | Almandine | Grossular |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 7–7.5 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous to resinous | Vitreous to resinous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.9–4.3 | 3.4–3.8 |
| Crystal system | Cubic | Cubic |
| Common colors | Deep red, Reddish brown, Purplish red, Black | Colorless, Green, Yellow, Orange (hessonite), Brown, Pink |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Almandine and Grossular trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Almandine
Almandine is the iron-rich end member of the garnet group, with the formula Fe3Al2(SiO4)3, and it is the most common garnet found in metamorphic rocks. It typically forms deep red to brownish-red crystals in mica schists and gneisses, distinguished by its density and classic dodecahedral crystal form. Almandine is the garnet most often cut for inexpensive faceted gemstones sold as "garnet" in jewelry.
About Grossular
Grossular is the calcium aluminum member of the garnet group, Ca3Al2(SiO4)3, notable for its unusually broad color range that spans colorless, green, yellow, orange, red, and brown depending on trace element substitutions. It forms characteristically in calcium-rich metamorphic rocks such as skarns and impure marbles, where it crystallizes during contact or regional metamorphism. Its name derives from the botanical genus for gooseberries, referencing the pale green color of the type specimens from Siberia.
Almandine vs Grossular FAQ
Is Almandine the same as Grossular?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 7–7.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Almandine from Grossular?
Both sit near Mohs 7–7.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Almandine feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.9–4.3 versus 3.4–3.8 for Grossular). They overlap in brown, but Almandine also comes in red and black and Grossular also comes in clear, green, yellow, orange, and pink.
Which is harder, Almandine or Grossular?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 7–7.5.
Which is more valuable, Almandine or Grossular?
Typical specimens of Almandine and Grossular trade in a similar range, around $20.
