Almandine is one of the aluminum garnets, along with pyrope and spessartine (the "pyralspite" group). Almandine is typically deep red to purplish, the essential "garnet" color. Its composition is Fe2+3Al2(SiO4)3. Pyrope and spessartine have magnesium and manganese, respectively, instead of the iron (Fe).
Almandine garnet from the Barton mine in New York's Adirondack Mountains. (more below)
Photo (c) 2008 Andrew Alden, licensed to About.com
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