Pyrope
Pyrope · Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃. Colors: red, purplish red, orange-red.
- Mohs
- 6.5–7.5
- RI
- 1.714–1.742
- SG
- 3.582
- Crystal system
- cubic
Pyrope at a glance.
- Species
- Pyrope
- Formula
- Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
- Crystal system
- cubic
- Mohs
- 6.5–7.5
- RI
- 1.714–1.742
- SG
- 3.582
- Colors
- red, purplish red, orange-red
What the encyclopedia says.
3 passages, quoted as published. Each links to the full entry and the sources of its chapter.
Species, varieties and groups
Above species sits the group, a family of species that share a structure but differ in chemistry. Garnet and tourmaline are groups, which is why “garnet” covers stones as different as red pyrope and green demantoid.
Read the full entryThe garnet group
Pyrope, Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃, and almandine, Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃, supply most red garnet. Rhodolite, (Mg,Fe)₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃, is the purple-red blend of the two. Spessartine, Mn₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃, is the orange species.
Read the full entryDealers, auction specialists and geologists
An exploration geologist searches for new deposits. For diamonds, that means sampling soils and stream sediments for indicator minerals such as pyrope garnet, chrome diopside, ilmenite and chromite, which weather out of kimberlite pipes, then testing targets with magnetic and gravity surveys and drilling. Colored-stone exploration focuses more on mapping pegmatites, marbles and gem gravels. The role usually requires a geology degree and long periods of fieldwork in remote camps.
Read the full entry
Buy or sell with a laboratory report
On the Erebaur market every buyer and seller is verified, every stone has a report from an independent laboratory and every payment goes into escrow.