Hessonite Garnet
Hessonite is one of the variety of Garnet Family. Garnet is not a single mineral, but describes a group of several closely related minerals. Garnets come in a variety of colors and have many different varieties. However, the most widely-known color of Garnet gemstones is dark red. When the term "Garnet" is used, it is usually connotative of the dark red form; other color Garnets are usually given more descriptive gemstone terms.
The properties below are generic to all Garnets; see the specific Garnet gemstone pages for more precise details.
| Chemical Formula | Calcium Aluminium Silicate Ca3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| Color | Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, Purple, Gray, Black |
| Hardness | 6.5 - 8.5 |
| Crystal System | Isometric |
| Refractive Index | 1.780 - 1.889 |
| SG | 3.5 - 4.3 |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Double Refraction | None |
| Luster | Vitreous; some forms adamantine or submetallic |
| Cleavage | None. May exhibit parting. |
| Mineral Class | Garnet |
Sources:
Srilanka, India, Myanmar(Burma),Madagascar.
Similar Gemstones:
The gemstone similar to hessonite are Yellow Beryl, Natural Zircon,Sapphire,Topaz,Etc.