Almandine
Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃

     Almandine is the newest member of the garnet group at mont Saint-Hilaire. It was recently identified by Bob Gault of the Canadian Museum of Nature from a specimen collected by the Horváths in September '99 from a contact zone of sodalite syenite and hornfels.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is red.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is transparent.
Crystal System is isometric; Ia3d.
Crystal Habits include embedded crystals and fragments.
Cleavage: none.
Fracture is subconchoidal.
Hardness is 7.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 4.0 g/cm³.
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include calcite, fluorite, marcasite, mica group,
   microcline, pyrite and quartz.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and luster.
Origin: Known since antiquity, it was described by Agricola in 1546.
   Name is derived from the locality at Alabanda, Turkey.

CLASSIFICATION:

REFERENCES:
Dana 8:1039-1041 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

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