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Entry № 199

Garnet in Arfvedsonite

Almandine in Arfvedsonite Amphibole

Red discipline set into a dark blue field.

Chakra

Root · Third Eye

Element

Fire · Earth

Zodiac

Scorpio · Capricorn

Garnet in Arfvedsonite

I. The Metaphysical Reading

How the stone has been held.

Garnet in arfvedsonite is worked with as a stone of grounded intuition, held during long study and quiet decision-making. Practitioners hold that the arfvedsonite steadies overactive thought while the garnet keeps physical energy loyal to the work.

Chakra
Root · Third Eye
Element
Fire · Earth
Zodiac
Scorpio · Capricorn
Keynote
Red discipline set into a dark blue field.

II. The Scientific Reading

What the lattice actually does.

Garnet in arfvedsonite is a metamorphic rock in which iron-rich almandine porphyroblasts grew within a matrix of arfvedsonite, a sodic amphibole rich in Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺. The assemblage is typical of high-grade alkaline metamorphism, and the polished pieces sold as ornamental stone show sharp, wine-red garnet dodecahedra on a nearly black amphibole ground.

Formula
Almandine Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ in arfvedsonite Na₃(Fe²⁺₄Fe³⁺)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
System
Aggregate (isometric garnet in monoclinic amphibole)
Hardness
6 – 7.5 (Mohs)
Provenance
Greenland, Canada (Ontario), Norway

References & Sources

Independent mineralogical references used to verify the scientific details above.

Mineral Profile

Fact Sheet

Chemical Formula
Almandine Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ in arfvedsonite Na₃(Fe²⁺₄Fe³⁺)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Crystal System
Aggregate (isometric garnet in monoclinic amphibole)
Mohs Hardness
6 – 7.5 (Mohs)
Density
3.30 – 3.60 g/cm³
Refractive Index
1.68 – 1.83 (bulk)
Provenance
Greenland, Canada (Ontario), Norway
Color Origin
Dark blue-black arfvedsonite matrix with deep red almandine

Related Crystals

Stones that share this lattice

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Garnet in Biotite

Metamorphic proof that pressure produces jewels.