Computed from simplified end-member formula. Solid-solution series, water content, and trace substitutions cause real-world variation.
IMA Abbreviation (Whitney-Evans 2010)
Sps
→ Spessartine
Garnet
Standard symbol from American Mineralogist (Whitney & Evans, 2010). Used in thin-section labeling, phase diagrams, and IMA-style species records.
Pronunciation
/ˈspɛsərtiːn/
↔ SPESS-er-teen
from Spessart, Germany
Luster
vitreous
Standard vitreous.
Color Cause (Chromophore)
Chromophore:
Mn²⁺
Mechanism:
idiochromatic
Color produced:
orange
Mn²⁺ in garnet structure — bright orange "mandarin".
Diaphaneity (Transparency)
transparent
Mn-Al garnet — bright orange "mandarin".
Type Locality
Spessart Mountains— Germany
Described 1832 by Beudant
› Browse all type localities
Magnetism
Category:
weakly paramagnetic
Test result:
Detectable pull
Mn-Al garnet — Mn gives paramagnetic response.
Test with rare-earth magnet (N42 or N52 neodymium). Suspend specimen on thread for sensitive paramagnetic detection. Diamagnetic minerals are weakly repelled (visible only with strong magnets like bismuth).
Specific Gravity
4.12–4.32
g/cm³
heavy
Mn-Al garnet; orange "mandarin".
For comparison: water = 1.00, glass ≈ 2.5, quartz = 2.65, corundum ≈ 4.00, galena ≈ 7.50, gold ≈ 19.3.
🟡
Market availability: Uncommon
Found at major shows and select dealers. Quality varies by locality.
Mohs6.5–7.5
Vickers (~)1400 HV
Knoop (~)1100 HK
Geological setting
💎Pegmatite
Element composition by mass
Formula: Mn₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ · molar mass: 495.02 g/mol
O
38.78%
Mn
33.29%
Si
17.02%
Al
10.9%
Computed from atomic weights (IUPAC 2021). Site-occupancy groups (Fe,Mn) split equally.
Spessartine sits at 6.5–7.5 on the Mohs scale —
harder than glass; scratches steel.
Colors:
Streak White
Crystal system Isometric (Cubic)
Discovery First described 1832 by François Sulpice Beudant (Bavaria)
SilicatesSilicates (Nesosilicates)
TL;DR · 1 min read
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.
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.
MyMineralBox Editorial Team. (2026). Spessartine. My Mineral Box. Retrieved May 23, 2026, from https://mymineralbox.com/mineral-encyclopedia/minerals/spessartine/
MLA
MyMineralBox Editorial Team. "Spessartine." My Mineral Box, 2026, https://mymineralbox.com/mineral-encyclopedia/minerals/spessartine/. Accessed May 23, 2026.
Chicago
MyMineralBox Editorial Team. "Spessartine." My Mineral Box. Last modified May 5, 2026. https://mymineralbox.com/mineral-encyclopedia/minerals/spessartine/.
BibTeX
@misc{mmb_spessartine,
author = {{MyMineralBox Editorial Team}},
title = {{Spessartine}},
year = {2026},
publisher = {My Mineral Box},
url = {https://mymineralbox.com/mineral-encyclopedia/minerals/spessartine/},
urldate = {2026-05-23}
}
