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Garnet Fields Rockhound Area is located about five miles northwest of central Ely, Nevada. Garnet Hill is famous with rockhounds because here are found beautiful small almandine garnets in quartz-lined vugs in pink rhyolite. Many acres of federal land have been reserved from mineral claim, thereby guaranteeing that rockhounds will always have an opportunity to collect at this locality. The almandine garnets from this area are normally a dark reddish-brown color and usually contain internal flaws. Nevertheless, a perfectly shaped garnet perched in a quartz-lined cavity makes a beautiful cabinet specimen. The above specimen, a wedge-shaped chunk of rhyolite 2 x 2 x 1 inches in size with a 1/2 inch vug, weighs approximately 1/2 pound. This specimen is particularly attractive because there are opeinings to the vug on both the front and back of the specimen. Nestled in the vug is a well-formed little garnet that can be better seen in this enlargement. The garnet is difficult to see, but this is a really cute little garnet-in-matrix specimen. If you won't have an opportunity to visit this area, and split some rhyolite yourself, the above specimen is available. (#117 is valued at $12.00)
Click here to see a short video of this specimen.
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