Spessartine Crystal

Spessartine, like other garnets, possesses high refractive index and hardness, making it suitable for use as a gemstone. However, its transparency and clarity can vary, with larger, gem-quality stones being relatively rare. Additionally, unlike some other garnets like pyrope and almandine, Spessartine often lacks strong dispersion (fire), potentially affecting its brilliance.

From from East Grants Ridge, New Mexico, USA Photo by: © Tóth László