Gemstone profile and identification guide
Spessartine
Spessartine is a manganese-rich garnet known for bright orange brilliance.
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Overview
Spessartine is a manganese-rich garnet known for bright orange brilliance.
Did you know? Mandarin garnet is a trade term for vivid orange spessartine.
Use this profile as a collector reference and educational guide for quick on-page comparison, then validate with the interactive identification system.
Identification
Name: Spessartine
Scientific classification: Silicate (Garnet Group: Spessartine)
Hardness: 7.25 Mohs
Transparency: transparent
Lustre: vitreous
Crystal system: Isometric (Cubic)
Primary colour: Mandarin Orange
Secondary colour: Red Orange
Colour family: Oranges & Yellows
Cubic garnet behavior and orange saturation support spessartine identification.
Verification Status
Status: verified-core-fields
Reference priority: GIA, Gem-A, Mindat, International Gem Society
Core identity, locality, and physical-property fields reviewed against standard gemological references.
Trade-name and treatment-sensitive entries include explicit disclosure notes where applicable.
Physical Properties
Hardness category: hard
Hardness value: 7.25 Mohs
Chemical composition: Manganese aluminum silicate [Mn3Al2(SiO4)3]
Crystal system: Isometric (Cubic)
Common locations: Namibia, Nigeria, Mozambique, Brazil, Madagascar
Learn more: Gem-A gemstone education resources.
Colour Variations
Vivid orange to red-orange garnet species, including mandarin color grades.
Optical effects: None specified in the current dataset.
Detailed Gemology
Mineral species: Spessartine
Mineral group: Garnet group
Chemical formula: Manganese aluminum silicate [Mn3Al2(SiO4)3]
Mohs hardness: 7.25
Crystal system: Isometric (Cubic)
Lustre: vitreous
Transparency: transparent
Streak: White
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven
Specific gravity: 4.12-4.20
Refractive index: 1.79-1.81
Optical phenomena: None typically diagnostic
Colour range: Yellow-orange to red-orange
Common inclusions: Crystals, needles, and liquid fingerprints
Geological environment: Pegmatitic and metamorphic manganese-rich systems
Principal mining regions: Namibia, Nigeria, Mozambique, Brazil, Madagascar
Important commercial sources: Spessartine garnet is sourced from pegmatitic and metamorphic localities worldwide
Historical significance: Important modern orange garnet in fine jewelry trade.
Common treatments: Generally untreated.
Synthetic or imitation forms: Glass and synthetic substitutes can imitate color.
Common look-alikes: Hessonite, citrine, orange sapphire
Jewellery uses: Used in faceted fine jewelry and collector stones.
Care recommendations: Durable for jewelry use; avoid impact on included stones.
Cross-check profile data with GIA Gem Encyclopedia and Mindat entry for Spessartine.
Formation
Forms in granitic pegmatites and metamorphic rocks.
Origin
Spessartine garnet is sourced from pegmatitic and metamorphic localities worldwide
Uses
Best for: Used in faceted fine jewelry and collector stones.
Ideal uses: Bright orange statement jewelry gems.
Care
Durable for jewelry use; avoid impact on included stones.
Need another candidate? Use advanced gemstone search or return to the identification guide.
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Spessartine FAQ
How can I identify Spessartine?
Compare hardness (7.25 Mohs), crystal system (Isometric (Cubic)), colour profile, and lustre (vitreous) with your sample. Then cross-check related gemstones listed above.
What colour range does Spessartine appear in?
Vivid orange to red-orange garnet species, including mandarin color grades.
Where is Spessartine commonly used?
Bright orange statement jewelry gems.. For maintenance, follow the care guidance in this profile.
Scientific References
GIA: general gemstone identity (reviewed) - Batch 08 factual verification pass.
Gem-A: gemological terminology and testing references (reviewed) - Batch 08 factual verification pass.
Mindat: mineral species and principal localities (reviewed) - Batch 08 factual verification pass.
International Gem Society: gem trade context and treatment overview (reviewed) - Batch 08 factual verification pass.