Demantoids from south Kerman, Iran: Gemological and Mineralogical Characterization

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Kipa Institute of Gemology, Kian Pars Tetis, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Geology and Petrology, Khwarazmi University, Tehran, Iran

3 Tahsin Institute of Gemology, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

For the first time in 2001, demantoid garnet from Iran was discovered in Kerman province and in Sanandaj- Sirjan geological zone. The host rock of these demantoids is the serpentinized peridotite rocks of the Haji Abad ophiolite (Esfandagheh). It has gemological features including regular crystalline shape, greenish yellow to dark green color, the refractive index of 1.80 to 1.82, and a specific gravity of 3.81 to 3.83. The electron microscope images of these samples indicate that the chromium element is the color agent. Inclusions in gemstones are an important indicator of the nature of a stone and may, additionally, be a characteristic feature of a particular origin. Also, the study of the microscopic features of this garnet demantoids, including the presence of needle inclusions and horsetail in them, confirms the serpentine host stone for them. The results of chemical analysis by SEM show that the O, C, Fe, Ca, Si, Mg and Al elements are the components main elements of the studied garnets. The Raman spectra of the analyzed studied samples, showed compatibility with demantoid reference spectrum. Also, according to the studies, it can be said that the southern Kerman demantoids like the Russian, Italian and Pakistan garnets, have the Serpentine origin.
 

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Crystallography and Mineralogy
Volume 33, Issue 3 - Serial Number 99
October 2025
Pages 561-572

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  • Receive Date: 10 July 2024
  • Revise Date: 25 February 2025
  • Accept Date: 12 March 2025

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