Andradite / (var - Demantoid) / Locality - Sferlun Mine, Val Malenco, Sondrio, Lombardia, Italy

How often does one encounter a LARGE CABINET display specimen of this classic material? This beautiful piece is filled with hundreds upon hundreds of brilliantly lustrous, sharp, yellow-green dodecahedra which are intergrown to form “finger”-like groups, almost resembling some form of aquatic plant life. The crystals are surrounded by fibrous off-white color Chrysotile on matrix. For the most part, the piece is essentially damage free. It is very difficult to obtain such large and SHOWY specimens from Sferlun, and Garnets in general simply are not found in seven inch display pieces! For the size, quality and flashiness, the piece is very fairly priced.

When it comes to Alpine Garnets, the Italian specimens are among the best in the world! Whether it be Grossulars or Andradites, the Italian specimens have set the standard for the Alpine material. The Demantoids from the famous Val Malenco (Malenco Valley) are among the most well-known and highly sought after Garnets in the world. These are true Alpine classics, and the best specimens are breathtaking from the standpoint of color, crystal size, gemminess, luster and rarity.

I recently acquired a small parcel of specimens from the famous locality at Sferlun which were collected approximately 30 years ago (late 1970s – early 1980s), and remained in a private collection for decades. I am told that these pieces originally came through the Magistretti collection in Italy.

These are great specimens of this world famous material, which are typically not seen very often on the market. Good Demantoids from Italy are always in demand, and good matrix Garnets from ANY locality are certainly hard to come by. Lastly, a few of the specimens in this lot are some of the largest individual pieces of this classic material that I’ve handled.

Locality: Sferlun Mine, Val Malenco, Sondrio, Lombardia, Italy

Specimen Size: 17.5 x 15.8 x 4.3 cm (large cabinet)
Largest Crystal: 2.5 mm