Spessartine (Mn₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃) is the manganese end-member of the garnet group, completing the pyralspite trio with almandine (Fe) and pyrope (Mg). Its signature is a vivid orange-to-red gem color from manganese, often described as “mandarin orange.” China hosts globally significant gem-quality Spessartine localities at Tongbei (Fujian) and several Yunnan deposits, where transparent dodecahedral crystals are mined for both faceted gem material and prized matrix specimens.
Key Facts
- Mohs hardness 6.5–7.5.
- Isometric (cubic) symmetry; classic dodecahedral and trapezohedral crystals.
- Color from pure orange (low-Fe) to red-orange and brownish red (with iron substitution).
- Forms a continuous solid-solution series with almandine in the pyralspite sub-group.
- Bright manganese fluorescence under shortwave UV in low-iron gem material.
Notable Chinese Localities
Tongbei (Fujian) produces world-class mandarin-orange gem Spessartine. Yunnan and Inner Mongolia pegmatites yield additional collector material.
Found at these Localities
- Broken Hill (布罗肯希尔铅锌银矿)
- Tongbei Mine (桐柏矿)
- Inner Mongolia (内蒙古)
- Yunnan (云南)
- Fujian (福建)
