almandine

views updated May 08 2018

almandine Member of the garnet group of minerals, Fe3Al2(SiO4)3; sp. gr. 4.25; hardness 6.5–7.5; cubic; red, brown-red, or black; greasy to vitreous lustre; most common crystals are dodecahedra, and many are irregular grains; widely distributed in metamorphic and igneous rocks, and in beach sands and placers. Transparent crystals are used as gemstones, and the mineral is useful in general as an abrasive.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

almandine

views updated May 09 2018

almandine variety of garnet. XVII. — F. †almandine, alt. of †alabandine — late L. alabandīna (sc. gemma gem), f. Alabanda city of Caria; see -INE1.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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almandine

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