cubic Nesosilicates
Grossular (Trapezohedron)
Formula Ca3Al2(SiO4)3
Crystal Structure
#! Species: Grossular
#! System: Cubic (m3m)
#! Habit: Trapezohedron dominant
cubic[m3m]:{211}@1.0 + {110}@0.4
cubic
m3m
{211} {110}
Quick Facts
Hardness
6.5
Specific Gravity
3.57
Refractive Index
1.73
Optical Character
Isotropic
Physical Properties
- Crystal System
- cubic
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6.5
- Specific Gravity
- 3.57
- Cleavage
- None
- Fracture
- Conchoidal to uneven
- Lustre
- Vitreous to resinous
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.73
- Optical Character
- Isotropic
- Dispersion
- 0.027
- Pleochroism
- None (isotropic)
Characteristics
Colours
Green (tsavorite)Orange (hessonite)YellowPink (rosolite)Colorless (leuco garnet)
Localities
KenyaTanzaniaSri LankaCanadaItalyMexico
Common Inclusions
Roiled appearance (hessonite)Diopside crystalsApatite needles
Known Treatments
None commonly applied
Crystal Forms
trapezohedrondodecahedron
Related Minerals
Other minerals in the cubic system
