cubic Nesosilicates
Pyrope (Rhombic Dodecahedron)
Formula Mg3Al2(SiO4)3
Crystal Structure
#! Species: Pyrope
#! System: Cubic (m3m)
#! Habit: Rhombic dodecahedron
cubic[m3m]:{110}@1.0 + {211}@0.3
cubic
m3m
{110} {211}
Quick Facts
Hardness
7.0
Specific Gravity
3.51
Refractive Index
1.74
Optical Character
Isotropic
Physical Properties
- Crystal System
- cubic
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 7.0
- Specific Gravity
- 3.51
- Cleavage
- None
- Fracture
- Conchoidal to uneven
- Lustre
- Vitreous
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.74
- Optical Character
- Isotropic
- Dispersion
- 0.022
- Pleochroism
- None (isotropic)
Characteristics
Colours
Blood redCrimsonPurplish-redOrangish-red (with spessartine)
Localities
Czech Republic (Bohemia)South AfricaTanzaniaMadagascarMyanmarChina
Common Inclusions
Rounded crystalsNeedle inclusionsOften relatively clean
Known Treatments
None commonly applied
Crystal Forms
dodecahedrontrapezohedron
Diagnostic Features
Blood-red colour; relatively low SG for garnet (3.5-3.7); often inclusion-free
Related Minerals
Other minerals in the cubic system
