Formula: Fe²⁺₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃

Species:  Silicates – (Nesosilicates)

Colour: Deep red, brownish red, red-violet, black

Lustre: Vitreous, Resinous

Hardness: 7 – 7½

Specific Gravity: 4.318

Crystal System: Isometric

Member of: Garnet Group > Garnet Supergroup

Name: Named in 1546 by Georgius Agricola [Georg Bauer] for Alabanda in Turkey, an ancient gem cutting center, presumably where almandine was fashioned into gemstones.

Type Locality: Alabanda, Çine District, Aydin Province – Turkey

Almandine-Pyrope Series, Almandine-Spessartine Series.