Description

A classic, historic garnet from the John S. White Pennsylvania Collection – it is a parallel-growth almandine crystal intergrown around its base with additional almandine crystals. The crystals are sharp with glossy faces, and deep internal red colour.  In excellent condition overall, minor chips and  an area of growth interference on the top/rear of the main crystal – it is not damage, but growth inhibition where the crystal interacted with the quartz as the two minerals formed together.

The locality is labeled only “Delaware Co.” John acquired this specimen from Skip Colflesh, and they both felt the piece is likely attributable to Avondale, specifically Leiper’s Lower Avondale Quarry, Woodlyn (Avondale), in the Borough of Swarthmore – an historic locality the beginnings of which date back to 1780.  Examination of almandine crystals from Avondale and also comparing with specimens from other (also historic) Delaware Co. localities makes this seem likely, but there is no way to be certain. Because the garnets from these localities were collected a long time ago, they are hard to acquire.

A great, old Pennsylvania almandine!