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Grossular
Grossular is nesosilicate (garnet group), Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃. In the hand, it rates 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, and it runs cinnamon orange (hessonite) and vivid green (tsavorite). The calcium garnet of many costumes, cinnamon hessonite with treacle-swirl interiors, or chrome-bright green tsavorite, always in rounded garnet forms.
The geology.
Grossular carries the formula Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃. It belongs to the isometric system. Its listing category is nesosilicate (garnet group).
It sits at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads vitreous to resinous. Light behaviour is transparent to opaque. Specific gravity runs 3.4 to 3.6. The streak is white. It breaks with no cleavage; conchoidal fracture.
The calcium garnet of many costumes, cinnamon hessonite with treacle-swirl interiors, or chrome-bright green tsavorite, always in rounded garnet forms.
It turns up mostly as dodecahedral crystals, druzy crusts, faceted or massive 'Transvaal jade'.
The origins.
Metamorphosed limestones: Sri Lanka and Quebec (hessonite), Kenya/Tanzania (tsavorite), Mali, Mexico (raspberry-pink).
On value, the database notes: hessonite affordable; fine tsavorite is prized.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, associated with prosperity, gratitude, and heart-centered vitality.
This is lore, and we label it as lore. The measurable facts are further up the page.
Spotting the real thing.
The calcium garnet of many costumes, cinnamon hessonite with treacle-swirl interiors, or chrome-bright green tsavorite, always in rounded garnet forms.
Green glass and YAG imitate tsavorite; 'African jade' is usually massive grossular, not jade.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Citrine | Hessonite shows a heat-haze 'whisky in water' interior swirl under a loupe; citrine is optically clean |
| Emerald | Tsavorite is singly refractive with no hexagonal prisms and usually cleaner |
| Idocrase (vesuvianite) | Massive green forms are near-twins, 'Transvaal jade' needs lab work |
At-home tests.
A loupe and a window seat settle most questions about grossular. No workshop required.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| By eye | Dodecahedral crystals |
| Under a loupe | Hessonite's roiled syrupy interior under magnification |
| Scratch check | Heavy in hand; scratches glass |
Destructive tests belong to a gemologist, not a kitchen table. If a piece matters to you, pay for an appraisal before you take a file to it.
Care & handling.
At 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale it handles careful wear but scratches against quartz and dust. Store it separately and take rings off before rough work.
It breaks with no cleavage; conchoidal fracture, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Clean it by hand, dry it properly, and keep it away from ultrasonic cleaners and hot steam.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃. Crystal system: Isometric. Specific gravity: 3.4 to 3.6. Streak: White. Cleavage and fracture: No cleavage; conchoidal fracture.
How it reaches the market
Metamorphosed limestones: Sri Lanka and Quebec (hessonite), Kenya/Tanzania (tsavorite), Mali, Mexico (raspberry-pink).
What it gets confused with
Citrine: Hessonite shows a heat-haze 'whisky in water' interior swirl under a loupe; citrine is optically clean. Emerald: Tsavorite is singly refractive with no hexagonal prisms and usually cleaner. Idocrase (vesuvianite): Massive green forms are near-twins, 'Transvaal jade' needs lab work.
What it is worth
Hessonite affordable; fine tsavorite is prized.
Where buyers get caught
Green glass and YAG imitate tsavorite; 'African jade' is usually massive grossular, not jade.
One more thing
Tsavorite was found in 1967 near Tsavo park, a green garnet that now rivals emerald at a fraction of emerald's flaws.
An education-first guide.
We do not stock grossular. Writing it up regardless is the point of a reference library.
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