Andradite on Clinochlore (ex Franceso Bedogne Collection)

Item Description

A beautiful matrix specimen of golden "Topazolite" Andradite Garnet from San Benito County, California. The label accompanying the piece states that it's from the Junnila Mine, but I'm inclined to think it might be from the Green Fire Mine or the Yellow Cat Mine. I'm leaving it labeled simply as San Benito County unless somebody can tell definitely where it's from Sharp, well-formed, gemmy, rich golden colored dodecahedral "Topazolite" crystals measuring up to 4 mm sitting on contrasting rich blue-green Clinochlore ("Chlorite") on matrix. The piece is in good shape overall, but a few crystals are contacted. From the worldwide collection of famed Italian mineral collector, field collector and author, Francesco Bedogne of Sondrio, Italy (Collection #690). The piece comes with a label from Al McGuinness. Bedogne wrote dozens of articles and several books about the mineralogy of Italian Alpine localities such as Val Bregaglia, Val Masino, Val Codera, Val Spluga, Valtellina and the famous Val Malenco. He was also the founder of the Valtellinese Mineralogical Institute.