Comparison · Minerals vs Silicate Minerals
Almandine vs Spessartine
Almandine and Spessartine are easy to confuse. 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 Spessartine
- Both sit near Mohs 7–7.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Almandine is Transparent to translucent, Spessartine is transparent.
- They overlap in red and brown, but Almandine also comes in black and Spessartine also comes in orange and yellow.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Almandine is Cubic, Spessartine is cubic.
Almandine vs Spessartine properties
| Property | Almandine | Spessartine |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Silicate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 7–7.5 | 7 |
| Luster | Vitreous to resinous | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 3.9–4.3 | 4.19 |
| Crystal system | Cubic | cubic |
| Common colors | Deep red, Reddish brown, Purplish red, Black | Orange, Red, Brownish red, Yellowish orange |
| Rarity | common | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $15–$900+ |
Which is more valuable?
Spessartine is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $120 against $20 for Almandine, and premium Spessartine can reach $900 or more.
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 Spessartine
Spessartine is the manganese aluminum member of the garnet group, prized for its bright orange to reddish-orange color. It forms well-shaped dodecahedral or trapezohedral crystals, often in pegmatites or on smoky quartz, and the most vivid stones are cut as gems.
Almandine vs Spessartine FAQ
Is Almandine the same as Spessartine?
No. Almandine is a mineral while Spessartine is a silicate mineral. 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 Spessartine?
Both sit near Mohs 7–7.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Hold a thin edge to the light: Almandine is Transparent to translucent, Spessartine is transparent. They overlap in red and brown, but Almandine also comes in black and Spessartine also comes in orange and yellow.
Which is harder, Almandine or Spessartine?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 7–7.5.
Which is more valuable, Almandine or Spessartine?
Spessartine is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $120 against $20 for Almandine, and premium Spessartine can reach $900 or more.
