Topazolite (Garnet)
Topazolite is a yellow to golden yellow variety of Andradite Garnet which is a member of the Garnet Group of minerals that includes Almandine, Andradite, Grossular, Pyrope, Spessartine and Uvarovite. Other varieties of Andradite include Demantoid and Melanite. Demantoid is the green variety of Andradite which is colored by chromium. Melanite is a black variety of Andradite containing about 1-5% titanium oxide. Although Andradite Garnets are somewhat common worldwide, Topazolite is fairly rare. Gem quality crystals are usually very small so gems are small. A well cut Topazolite is a beautiful gem with a unique color, adamantine luster and high dispersion.
The few localities for gem quality Topazolite crystals include Bavaria, Germany; Laietto, Italy; Namibia; and in the USA at Stanley Butte, San Carlos, Pinaleño Mountains, Arizona; and the Yellow Cat Mine, San Benito County, California.
| Category: | Andradite, variety of (Garnet) |
| Chemical Formula: | Ca3Fe23+(SiO4)3 |
| Calcium Iron Silicate |
| Crystallography: | Isometric |
| Crystal Habit: | Dodecahedral, trapezohedral |
| Cleavage: | None |
| Fracture: | Conchoidal |
| Moh’s Hardness: | 6.5 to 7 |
| Density: | 3.70 to 4.10 |
| Color: | Yellow, yellow-brown |
| Transparency: | Transparent,Translucent |
| Luster: | Subadamantine,Vitreous |
