RocksdayAlmandine vs Rhodolite
To tell Almandine from Rhodolite: Almandine is darker, more brownish red and heavier.
The common iron garnet: dark red to purplish, and heavy. It is the garnet in most mica schists.
Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0
A rose-red to raspberry garnet halfway between pyrope and almandine. It is a mix, not a separate species.
Photo: Dave Dyet http://www.shutterstone.com http://www.dyet.com, Public domain
Key differences
- Almandine is darker, more brownish red and heavier.
Side by side
| Property | Almandine | Rhodolite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 7–7.5 | 7–7.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | Red, Purple, Brown | Red, Purple, Pink |
| Crystal system | Cubic | Cubic |
| Specific gravity | 4–4.3 | 3.7–3.9 |
| Formula | Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ | (Mg,Fe)₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ |
| Found in | Gore Mountain, New York; Tyrol, Austria | Cowee Valley, North Carolina; Tanzania |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify almandine
- Dark red or purplish rounded crystals, often in schist.
- Hardness 7–7.5.
- Noticeably heavy for its size.
Crystal system: Cubic
Full Almandine guide →How to identify rhodolite
- Purplish rose red, lighter in tone than typical almandine.
- Hardness 7–7.5.
- Usually pebbles or rounded crystals.
Crystal system: Cubic
Full Rhodolite guide →More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between almandine and rhodolite?
Almandine is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 7–7.5 and a vitreous luster, usually red, purple or brown. Rhodolite is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 7–7.5 and a vitreous luster, usually red, purple or pink.
How can you tell almandine from rhodolite?
Almandine is darker, more brownish red and heavier.
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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