Rainbow garnet.

[Procer]

hey Pricescope.

I just stumbled over a mineral I never have heard about before, rainbow garnet. It should be an Iridescence mineral only found in japan, found in 2004 and only in very small speciment. Anyone here has any more info? Or clarification, I feel like this could be so many things other then a garnet, like labradorite, or maybe ammonite or fire agate. Maybay a mishmash of all the above?

Here is some pics:

http://tigaku.com/tisitu/mineral/img/r/rainbow-garnet.jpg

http://www.mineralienguild.com/rainbow/jpg/facet2.jpg

http://www.keysminerals.com/minerals/cutstone/photos/ag062s.jpg

http://www.palagems.com/Images/fotogfocus/manorotkul_iridescent.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4185090760_6fe5330c42.jpg


~Procer

 

[LD]

They are garnets. I have a few and so does Pandora. If you search in the colored stone forum you'll see photos.

 

[Procer]

i coudn't find any,but I will try again, and this time more throughlyt. I am sorry to repost a subject.

 

[partgypsy]

Garnets are interesting because there are so many kinds with different colors and properties, soit's conceivable that new kinds may be discovered.


To me, what that looks like is andradite garnet, which are usually found in very small opaque crystals, but do have an almost rainbow display of colors. I would need to know more about those garnets and sizes to get an idea if it was something "new".
More info about andradites specifically
http://www.gemsociety.org/info/gems/Garnet.htm
Andradite Garnet

CHEMISTRY Ca3Fe2Si3O12
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY Isometric
REFRACTIVE INDEX 1.86 - 1.95
HARDNESS 6.5 - 7
SPECIFIC GRAVITY 3.70- 4.10
DISPERSION 0.057
CLEAVAGE None
HEAT SENSITIVE Some.

Andradite
... Andradite is named after the Portuguese mineralogist, d’Andrade.
... This is one of the rarest and most sought after garnets. There are no major sources of andradite and the supply is limited to small deposits.
... Its dispersion is much higher than any other garnet and even much higher than diamond. The dispersion is usually masked by dark body colors but small, light colored gems are dazzling!
... The variety dematoid is colored green by chromium. This gem is always in high demand.
... Andradites are known for their distinctive, horsetail inclusions. (See “Identifying Inclusions” in our Reference Library.) They are both an aid to the gemologist and a delight to collectors