Comparison · Minerals
Andradite vs Hessonite
Andradite and Hessonite 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 Hessonite
- 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 yellow and brown, but Andradite also comes in green and black and Hessonite also comes in orange and red.
Andradite vs Hessonite properties
| Property | Andradite | Hessonite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5–7 | 6.5–7 |
| Luster | Vitreous to resinous/adamantine | Vitreous to resinous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.8–3.9 | 3.5–3.65 |
| Crystal system | Cubic | Cubic |
| Common colors | Yellow-green (demantoid), Brown, Black (melanite), Yellow | Orange-brown, Cinnamon, Yellow-orange, Reddish brown |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Andradite and Hessonite 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 Hessonite
Hessonite is a warm orange-brown to reddish-brown variety of grossular garnet, Ca3Al2(SiO4)3, colored by trace iron and manganese, and long prized in South Asian gem traditions under the Sanskrit name gomedh. Its slightly greasy internal luster and swirling, treacle-like inclusions, often described as a scotch-in-water effect, set it apart from other orange garnets and gemstones. It belongs to the calcium-aluminum garnet subgroup rather than the calcium-iron subgroup that includes andradite.
Andradite vs Hessonite FAQ
Is Andradite the same as Hessonite?
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 Hessonite?
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 yellow and brown, but Andradite also comes in green and black and Hessonite also comes in orange and red.
Which is harder, Andradite or Hessonite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 6.5–7.
Which is more valuable, Andradite or Hessonite?
Typical specimens of Andradite and Hessonite trade in a similar range, around $20.
