Grossular Garnet (Specimen #100211)

Mineral(s): Grossular Garnet; Diopside; Calcite 

Location: York River skarn, York River area, Dungannon Township, Town of Bancroft, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada 

Size: 7.8 x 3.4 x 4.1 cm 

Description:  A lustrous, sparkling specimen of gemmy grossular garnet and diopside. The garnet crystals are a deep orange and nicely accented by green diopside crystals. The crystals are small but well-formed. The garnets and diopside were etched from calcite with a small area of calcite left in the center of the specimen. The specimen is in very good condition with a small contact point on the left side of the specimen.

The specimen is from the famous dolomitic Skarn Zone in a dike of nepheline syenite to the east of the York river at Egan chute. It consists of nepheline and oligoclase with small amounts of sodalite, cancrinite, and apatite. Radioactive zircon crystals cause a radial shattering of the nepheline and albite in a few places. This location now lies within the boundaries of Egan Chutes Provincial park as such mineral collection is now unfortunately forbidden.