Whether in it’s raw, or rough, form or after it’s been cut and polished, spessartine (also known as spessartite) is a sight to behold. It has a natural orange color, but due to slight variations and impurities, they are found in a range of beautiful colors. The technical specification of spessartine (Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3) is a nesosilicate, manganese aluminum garnet species. Scientifically, silicates are rock forming minerals which make up over 90% of the earth’s crust. Manganese and Aluminum are also both metals. The makeup of spessartine is a combination of four elements; 33% manganese, 11% aluminum, 17% silicon, and 39% oxygen. It’s approximate hardness on the Moh scale ranges from 6.5 to 7.5. It’s found naturally in several colors including red, violet-red, reddish-orange, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, orange-yellow, and brown.
This mineral has seen it’s share of name changes over time. It started in 1797 when it was first discovered in the Spessart Mountains in Bavaria, Germany by Matin Klaproth who called it granatförmiges Braunsteinerz. It was later distinguished as a “manganesian garnet by Henry Seybert in 1823, and lastly re-named in 1832 by François Sulpice Beudant. Once thought to be quite rare, spessartine is now mined in Australia, Tanzania, Madagascar, India, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, and in several locations in the United States. Spessartine Garnet, which includes Spessartite and Imperial Garnet, also takes its name from the Spessart district of Bavaria.
Spessartine Use in Crystal Healing
Spessartine is reputed to be a stone of whole body healing as well as able to bring a healthy balance to an individual’s spiritual side. Some of the notable metaphysical properties are assistance with manifestation and aid creativity. They also stimulate the brain overall, improving reasoning, mental clarity and activating thought.
The color band of spessartine ranges from reddish-orange to orangish-pink; linking it with both “will” and “desire”. It is a very useful crystal to help boost love spells. This crystal is linked to the belly chakra and is considered beneficial in instances of infertility, especially with issues related to the female reproductive organs.
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