Mali Garnet is a hybrid variety representing a solid solution between grossular and andradite garnets. It is highly prized by collectors and jewelers for its exceptional brilliance and dispersion, often exhibiting a unique yellow-green or lime color.

Hardness

6.5-7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

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Mali Garnet

Hardness: 6.5-7.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this mali garnet?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch mali garnet with a known reference. Mali Garnet sits at Mohs 6.5-7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, green, brown, yellow-green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.

Often confused with

Mali Garnet vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Mali Garnet and adamantine to resinous, dull on Andradite.

Often found alongside mali garnet

Minerals reported to co-occur with mali garnet. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₃(Fe,Al)₂(SiO₄)₃
Mohs hardness: 6.5-7.5
Density: 3.5-3.8 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Green Brown Yellow-green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Gemstone, Collector, Jewelry
Host rock: alluvial deposits

Where rockhounds find mali garnet

Classic worldwide localities

Mali
Kayes Region

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: alluvial deposits. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, epidote in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify mali garnet?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5-7.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, green, brown, yellow-green.

Where is mali garnet found?+

Notable localities include Mali; Kayes Region.

What rocks look like mali garnet?+

Mali Garnet is most often confused with Grossular, Andradite, Spessartine. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with mali garnet?+

Mali Garnet commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Calcite, Epidote. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does mali garnet form in?+

Where it forms: alluvial deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is mali garnet used for?+

Mali Garnet is used in gemstone, collector, jewelry.

Find mali garnet on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.