Spessartite garnet is a semi-precious gemstone also called:

• Erinite

• Partschinite

• Fanta Garnet

What’s the difference between spessartite and spessartine?

Technically, nothing. Gemologists use “spessartite” more often while mineralogists use “spessartine” more often.

However, “spessartite” also refers to an igneous rock with no relation to the garnet.

As a garnet, spessartite is a January birthstone, lucky stone for Aquarius, and 2nd wedding anniversary gem.

Spessartite Garnet Specifications & Characteristics

The garnet family has two main series: pyralspite and ugrandite. Spessartite is one of the three species in the pyralspite group, along with pyrope and almandine.

Pyralspite garnets are aluminum silicates with different elements in the X site (the first element listed in the formula). Spessartite’s formula is Mn3Al2Si3O12 or Mn3Al2(SiO4)3, as it’s a manganese aluminum silicate.

Buyers may confuse spessartite vs hessonite garnet, which is usually yellow to orange. However, hessonite is a grossular variety with a lower refractive index (1.731 to 1.754) and lower Mohs hardness (6.5). Color-wise, hessonite is usually browner and redder in hue than spessartite.

Here are the spessartite garnet properties listed:

• Mohs hardness: 6.5-7.5

• Color: Yellow, yellow-orange, orange, orange-red, red, reddish-brown, brown

• Crystal structure: Isometric/cubic

• Luster: Vitreous (glassy), resinous, or sub-adamantine

• Transparency: Transparent to opaque

• Refractive index: 1.79-1.985

• Density: 3.80-4.25

• Cleavage: None

• Fracture: Conchoidal or subconchoidal

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: None

• Pleochroism: None

• Birefringence: None

• Dispersion: 0.027 (moderate)

• Optical effects: Color-change, chatoyancy