Grossular 'Raspberry' Garnet ex Jack Halpern Collection

Item Description

So-called "Raspberry agrnets" from Mexico are one of those unique-in-the-world finds that are now 20 years and more in teh past and from which GOOD specimens are hard to come by. Well-formed, translucent, and vibrant, these raspberry-colored Grossular Garnets are attractively set on Quartz matrix, on this small cabinet sized display specimen. This is an exceptional example with both balance AND good-sized crystals for the material! The individual crystals are exceptionally well-exposed, so that you can more fully appreciate their form and color. Habits range from dodecahedrons to more modified dodecs, the largest of which is about 2.3 cm across, and they have very good luster and color. Sierra de Cruces in Mexico is renowned for these particular Grossulars, which came out in the mid-late 1990s. Aesthetic and uncommon, good specimens are hard to come by these days. There is a little edge wear, and some contacting towards the back, but this contacting allows you to see the color zoning in the crystals as some of the black cores are exposed. Fascinating growth and chemistry. These are some of the most distinctive Garnets in the world, and instantly recognizable. Previously in the David Byers collection, before Jack's. There are numerous references to Jack and his collection in print, but perhaps a good tour of the collection and its history will help give perspective on just how good and important this collection has been to many of us growing up and learning from him over the decades: https://www.irocks.com/the-jack-halpern-collection. Valued $5000-7500