Andradite var Melanite

In 1975 Ken dug a pocket of super sharp jet black lusterous melanites. There is a thumbnail, a killer miniature and a cabinet sized (the ones he kept). This thumbnail is competition quality. The chain of 5 crystals on the thin brecia forming a semi circle and graduating from smallest to largest. Ex Ken Roberts collection.

Locality: Near Gem Mine, San Benito County, California

Composition: titanium rich neosilicate  Ca₃Fe³⁺₂(SiO₄)₃ + Ti