Comparison · Minerals
Andradite vs Grossular
Andradite and Grossular are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Both sit near Mohs 6.5–7, 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 Andradite and Grossular
- Both sit near Mohs 6.5–7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- They overlap in green, yellow, and brown, but Andradite also comes in black and Grossular also comes in clear, orange, and pink.
Andradite vs Grossular properties
| Property | Andradite | Grossular |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5–7 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous to resinous/adamantine | Vitreous to resinous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.8–3.9 | 3.4–3.8 |
| Crystal system | Cubic | Cubic |
| Common colors | Yellow-green (demantoid), Brown, Black (melanite), Yellow | Colorless, Green, Yellow, Orange (hessonite), Brown, Pink |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Andradite and Grossular trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Andradite
Andradite is a calcium-iron garnet, Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3, one of six species making up the isomorphous garnet group. It occurs in shades of yellow-green, brown, and black depending on trace elements, and includes the gem varieties demantoid, colored green by chromium, and topazolite, a golden-yellow form. Its isometric habit and high refractive index give faceted stones exceptional fire, occasionally surpassing that of diamond.
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.
Andradite vs Grossular FAQ
Is Andradite the same as Grossular?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 6.5–7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Andradite from Grossular?
Both sit near Mohs 6.5–7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. They overlap in green, yellow, and brown, but Andradite also comes in black and Grossular also comes in clear, orange, and pink.
Which is harder, Andradite or Grossular?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 6.5–7.
Which is more valuable, Andradite or Grossular?
Typical specimens of Andradite and Grossular trade in a similar range, around $20.
