#Andradite

[theoldbone]

Andradite (rainbow garnet), Kohse Mine, Japan, photos by John Rakovan, Y. Okazaki, Y. Sakaguchi, Joel Dyer

[oldearthminerals]

Andradite Garnet Cluster, Balochistan, Pakistan

[dire-vulture]

bane share bane share bane share

[overthemoonminerals]

Large Green Garnet from the Kayes Region of Mali

These giant green garnet crystals are totally natural and unpolished, and each one is totally unique since the larger the crystals get the funkier the growth becomes. The smaller crystals tend to have a more perfect crystalline structure, but the big ones like to get weird 😉

[daybreaksys]

"the old universe before our universe"

Oh, you mean the Remnant sector?

We always thought about the Remnant sector as a time in our past rather than a place in space, which makes sense, since it has been completely isolated and cut out from the rest of the system ever since other sectors formed.

But Andradite and Ƿynn unlocked the passages to it in 2020.

It still makes sense to think of it as a place in the past, really, since you have to travel in the 4th dimension to go to it, and the 4th dimension in the outer world is time.

And all places in our inner world are naturally sorted in a neat order in the 4th dimension from older to newer because new places form between the front and the older place. So it really does function like time, except past places... keep existing, and happening, in the past. Time works just like any dimension of space in our system, past things keep existing and happening, alongside new things, just "over there".

[khushallgems]

Brilliant cherry red spessartine garnet on muscovite from Nyet Bruk, Braldu, Baltistan, Pakistan. Size: 16mm о 00 Copyright © @finemineralphotography #redgarnet #garnet #greengarnet #garnetspecimen #khushallcrystal #andradite #garnetcrystal #khushallcollection #melanite #almandite #khushallfineminerals #Khushallgems #bluegarnet #garnetring #khushalljewellery #aquamarinetourmaline #quartzcollecting #almandine #pyrope #spessartine #andradite #uvarovite #grossular #tsavorite #hessonite #uvarovite #rhodolite #halaia #spessartine #spessartinegarnet https://www.instagram.com/p/Clect77r_8V/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[wizard-irl]

Garnet Care Guide

Composition: X₃Y₂(SiO₄)₃ where X is either Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺, or Mn²⁺ and Y is either Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, or Cr³⁺.

Hardness: 6-7.5 (scratched by a steel nail or drill bit)

Varieties

Almandine (Fe2+3Al2(SiO4)3)

Pyrope (Mg3Al2(SiO4)3)

Spessartine (Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3)

Andradite (Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3)

Grossular (Ca3Al2(SiO4)3)

Uvarovite (Ca3Cr2(SiO4)3)

Hydrosensitivity: Unreactive.

Photosensitivity: Unclear. Some sources say to avoid long term exposure to sunlight, others say that it isn't reactive. I'd err on the side of caution.

Thermosensitivity: Reactive. Garnet is sensitive to heat and sudden changes in termperature.

Reactivity: Unreactive.

Fragility: Not fragile.

Toxicity: Not toxic.

Recommended care: Don't expose to sudden temperature changes and keep out of sunlight.

Conditions are described based on normal use. Sources and definitions below the cut.

Definitions

Composition: Chemical composition

Hardness: Mohs hardness, gauges how tough a crystal is

Varieties: List of varieties a crystal can be.

Hydrosensitivity: Ability to be damaged or altered by exposure to or lack of water. Crystals should never be submerged in water for long regardless of their hydrosensitivity, and salt water can damage crystals no matter what.

Photosensitivity: Ability to be damaged or altered by light, often light with UV rays (sunlight).

Thermosensitivity: Ability to be damaged or altered by heat, often high heat.

Reactivity: Any other notable reactivities.

Fragility: Ease that the crystal breaks or scratches.

Toxicity: Note of anything toxic inherent to the crystal's chemical composition. Not toxic does not mean you should eat it!

Recommended care: The recommended course of action for this crystal.

Other notes: Any other care notes.

Sources

"Garnet", MinDat.

"Can Garnet Go in the Water? (And Sunlight?)", EarthEclipse.

"The Care of Minerals", Journal of the Russell Society.

"Solubility Data on 646 Common and Not So Common Minerals", MinDat.

[rockconsumer]

IAG, ready for Era 3!

Little doodle of an Era 3 design for IAG

[segapop115]

Second doodle done of IAG but with her hair down, and she is absolutely serving here

[snowlyx]

AU-Tober days 1-5

For my lil Sonic Boom AU

1.) Talker and listener. Maria is the only one who has seen the outside world.

2.) Sonic rants to his low-is friend at Meh Burger.

3.) Blind: 2- lacking perception, awareness, or discernment.

4.) Blanket fort to protect from thunder.

5.) Her favorite flower.

[ghminerals]

Prazym Quartz crystals with Actinolite inclusions, sparkling Andradite garnet over growth. Primorski Kray, Russia. Self stands. 

https://etsy.me/41xhgPN

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Word List: Morticia

Please :)

Creosote - a dark brown or black flammable tar deposited from especially wood smoke on the walls of a chimney

Daymare - a nightmarish fantasy experienced while awake

Devil-may-care - having a relaxed, casual manner

Diaphanous - characterized by extreme delicacy of form; ethereal

Ensorcellment - the power to control natural forces through supernatural means; bewitchment, enchantment

Ignis fatuus - a light that sometimes appears in the night over marshy ground and is often attributable to the combustion of gas from decomposed organic matter; a deceptive goal or hope

Ivory - a variable color averaging a pale yellow

Lucent - glowing with light; luminous

Melanite - a black andradite garnet

Nightshade - any of a genus (Solanum) of herbs, shrubs, and trees having alternate leaves, cymose flowers, and fruits that are berries and including some poisonous weeds, various ornamentals, and important crop plants

Pellucid - reflecting light evenly from all surfaces; easy to understand

Periapt - something worn or kept to bring good luck or keep away evil

Phylactery - an amulet

Presage - to give an omen or warning of; foreshadow; foretell, predict

Psychogenic - originating in the mind or in mental or emotional conflict

Recherché - having qualities that appeal to a refined taste; elegant

Sable - having the color of soot or coal; black clothing worn in mourning; dark, gloomy

Sapience - the ability to understand inner qualities or relationships; wisdom, sagacity

Scrying - crystal gazing, divination

Soigné - well-groomed, sleek

Sources: 1 2 3 ⚜ More: Word Lists

Hope this helps. If it does, do tag me, or send me a link to your work. I would love to read it!

[ir0n-angel]

Andradite

[yallemagne]

Meet Hematite and Jasper, a gem power couple and both halves of the fusion Bloodstone [design not yet made].

Yes, this is a Steven Universe/Dracula AU. Am I the first to ever do it? I doubt so, but I definitely am the best to ever do it.

I have all the gems lined up though I have not yet designed any. Pray for me if/when I try. A few of the gems are simple variations of the types we see in the show (like Green Jasper), though there are some that I had to conceptualize a place in gem society for (like Hematite). None of the main characters are human, though if I were to make any character human, it would be Arthur. That would change the story, dramatically, so I won't.

She/her pronouns for all the characters because I am not forcing a system as archaic as gender on a genderless society like that of Homeworld. We have the Gem Caste System to make the characters suffer under anyhow.

Character backstory and individual images under the cut.

Also, I have a Ko-fi.

Hematite is part of a class of gems whose role in gem society is most akin to human property lawyers. You might notice the resemblance to Zircons, which serve as attorneys in gem society. They deal in the management of transferring ownership of gem colonies. Gem colonies are most often given to high-ranking gems as proof of valour. As such, Hematites are few in number and they rarely if ever face combat.

(Green) Jasper is a Quartz soldier that was formed slightly offcolour. Instead of being broad and muscular, she formed thin and tall. Despite this, she retains much of the same strength of a regular Quartz and strives to prove her worth to her peers and her commander, Onyx.

Hematite was working with Onyx when she met Jasper, and something indescribable pulled them toward each other. Onyx, noticing their interest in each other, offered to let Jasper act as a bodyguard on Hematite's missions. It was on one of these missions that they met their friend Padparadscha, a noble gem with the power to see the future.

The day they fused, Jasper knew that she could not return to her life as a Quartz soldier, and Hematite no longer wanted to push papers to divvy out colonies. All they wanted was to find a place where they would be safe to be together. So, they turned to Padparadscha, who greeted their fusion with giddiness as she had known all along that they would fuse. With her foresight, she named the fusion Bloodstone, and with her influence, protected Bloodstone from Homeworld.

Bloodstone was uninvolved in the conflict on Earth, but when Steven Universe established Little Homeworld, she took the opportunity to live freely amongst other gems like her.

One day, she came upon the concept of human marriage and was enchanted. Hematite and Jasper unfused in preparation for the wedding. At that time, Hematite was to go on a mission to a faraway moon colony owned by a militant Andradite to inform her that the war was over and invite her to Little Homeworld... but what lies in store for her there?

In case it's not clear, I know I've been sitting with this for a while, so I am painfully familiar with all the inner workings, and y'all ain't:

Hematite: Jonathan Harker

(Green) Jasper: Mina Murray

Onyx: Peter Hawkins

(Star) Padparadscha: Lucy Westenra

Andradite: Count Dracula

[overthemoonminerals]

Large Green Garnet from the Kayes Region of Mali

These giant green garnet crystals are totally natural and unpolished, and each one is totally unique since the larger the crystals get the funkier the growth becomes. The smaller crystals tend to have a more perfect crystalline structure, but the big ones like to get weird 😉

[chilapis]

— a more refined, detailed version of this post.

I did say that I didn’t quite know how to word my thoughts, so here is a version in which I do know how to do so. I’ll be going over all information with better application, along with the introduction of new information or analyses where need be.

There is, perhaps, no way to summarize Ajax, or anyone really, given the complexities of the subject’s character. But, if one absolutely must do so, I strongly hold that perhaps there is genuinely no better way to explain Childe than to compare him to a garnet, the beautiful, blood-coloured stone of life and passion, of strength and rebirth, of homesickness; and it is this is very justification that also leads me to believe that the red stone that he just always seems to have on his person somehow, whether it be through the earring he wears, the ones that dangles from his usual-outfit’s jacket (Blades of Glory), the one hanging from his fatui-harbinger fur-collared cloak, or even the one worn in the necklace depicted in the recent concert’s artwork.

In order to justify this comparison and association however, it is first necessary to delve into what garnets really are. Garnets refer to a category of silicate minerals that are available in a variety of species and colours, although deep shades of burgundy and crimson appear most commonly referred to in terms of the latter. Species include pyrope, almandine, andradite, and many more, though we will not be discussing anything that is species-specific. Primarily because that discussion would be more relevant if we were to discuss the composition of these gemstones rather than their believed spiritual properties, or historical significance. Because of this, if you really insist on specification — which, there is no need, since I quite genuinely had no intention of tying it to specific species, and it would be quite futile to do so even if I did considering that they almost always naturally occur in amalgamations — you may use almandines as reference, considering they’re the most common species. Garnets as a whole are quite durable, ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 on the Moh scale of hardness.

The term “garnet” finds its roots in the Medieval Latin word “Granatus”, which is derived from “Granum”, which means “seed-like”, spoken in reference to pomegranate seeds; though it took quite some time for this poor gemstone to have its own identity, considering that red gemstones were referred to using the umbrella term “carbuncle”. This name (garnet) was granted on basis of the similarity in colouring; the gemstone’s red was found to be strikingly similar to that of the fruit. Though, this association is not something that died at the naming process, never to move further; rather, becauss of this association, garnets became a symbol of marital fidelity, seen to reflect the affection shared between Persephone and Hades. It also, by relation, began to be associated with Persephone as a whole — Persephone, the Greek Goddess plunged into the underworld? The Greek Goddess known for her duality, as the Goddess of spring and fertility, but also the queen of the underworld?

Though this is a loose association to make, could the descent into the underworld not be loosely connected to the way Ajax fell into the abyss? Of-course, one mustn’t look for there to be a parallel to every role if one wishes to analyse with an open mind, so there is no Hades, and no abduction. Could this connection not be made then, considering how it was this descent that led to Persephone’s duality, and similarly it was his own descent that led to Ajax’s as well? He was a sweet boy, just a small child who didn’t know any better, but he returned different.

He returned with a piece of the abyss coursing through him in ways perhaps no-one could have imagined; he is no deity like her, of-course, and he is of no royal status, whether by blood or through marriage, but does he not carry his duality well? Is his duality not comparable to hers? A duality that balances the scale with gentle innocence and growth on one side, and death, reincarnation on the other? With the goddess even referred to as a protector(ess) in reference to the latter? Is Tartaglia any stranger to reincarnation and rebirth himself? The audience itself was led into believing he might have died, or would die, in Fontaine’s Archon quest. Was his reappearance not rebirth? Or, was his return from the abyss itself after the time he spent fighting and clawing his way through it without rest, not rebirth? What truly defines rebirth, anyway? Is he not comparable to a phoenix rising from its own ashes, all to live through a painful, self-destructive cycle once again? It is also seen to assist one in recalling their past lives but, I digress.

Garnets are stone with much history behind them; their usage as abrasives, and also gemstones, especially for decorative or jewellery purposes, has been found to date back all the way to the Bronze Age. It is a gemstone that has received so much love throughout the years, whether it be from the ancient Romans, Greeks, Chinese, Arabs, the Victorians, or the Egyptians. Many findings have been discovered regarding how Egyptians would inlay the gemstone in their jewelry as far back as 3100 BC; if was seen as a symbol of life as well as the afterlife, of prosperity, and despite both beliefs coming from two such separate cultures, is it not beautiful how perfectly this ties in to the association with Persephone, with her themes of death and rebirth? And is it not beautiful how this association ties in with Ajax, too? Is he not alive? Do his actions not scream at you to look at him, to look at the fact that he has survived, that he is here and he is alive and he is breathing and it hurts to breathe and he is blinded by his determination but he is alive. He is so alive that it is painful.

Associations with Aphrodite have also led to this stone being seen to symbolise eternity, particularly eternal love and eternal marriage, but eternity in general as well, and eternity can be seen as synonymous with immortality in a way. Considering his relation to the abyss and his ability to harbour powers that would undoubtedly kill the average person, a part of me cannot help but ponder if he truly still is mortal.

It has also found its use in ancient Romans’ signet rings, which they would use to stamp down the wax on important documents; signet rings hold great historical importance due to being traditionally worn by men of great importance, such as royalty and religious leaders, as well as businessmen and politicians for the purposes of performing their signature. Given how much importance one’s signature holds in contracts (fun fact: your face and visual identification holds less importance than your signature in contracts) and his introduction in the Liyue Archon quest, I’m sure some connections could be drawn here although I’m far too tired to do so myself at the moment. People also believed dragons to have eyes made of garnets during the Middle Ages so, take that however you will, really. That’s more or less irrelevant but I’ll be damned if I don’t shove random facts where they absolutely do not fit.

On the topic of life, did you know that in certain cultures (my own included), garnets are seen to symbolise blood? They are said to improve blood circulation throughout the body, as well as help with disorders and deficiencies related to one’s blood. They are said to provide physical strength and endurance to the wearer by strengthening their muscles as well, along with improving the health of one’s heart and bones. Furthermore, it is stated to help relieve the wearer of fatigue, whether it be physical and mental. Is all this not of interest to him? Is strength not one of the very few things he seems to genuinely care about? Is getting stronger not all that he thinks about at times? The gemstone’s association with life and health was so strong that it was historically seen to keep away pestilence and plague, with it even going so far as to be placed on wounds with the belief that it would aid recovery with its powers to heal.

It was, and still is, actually those recommended for those with a tendency to overexert themselves, and is that not who he is? A man who either does not know his limits, or pretends to feign ignorance simply so he has an excuse to push himself, to push until he breaks and shatters time and time again, defying his mortal limitations, if he even really is mortal anymore? It can also be seen to strengthen one’s survival instinct, and one’s will to pull themselves out of difficult situations. I can definitely see the latter fitting perfectly, though I find… little survival instinct in this man.

And speaking of blood, would it be wrong to highlight how much blood matters when talking about him? Blood can refer to bloodlines, to one’s kin; to the family he seeks to protect. Blood can refer to violence, to murder; to the lives he takes so thoughtlessly. Blood can refer to passion, to youth, to ambition and the ability to put it into action; and is that not all that he is? A young man blinded by his passions?

Though, while discussing strength and blood, it becomes very important to note it has a history of being used for protection, strength, and bravery by those entering into battle. At one point in history, it was even referred to as the warrior stone, or the stone of the warriors, especially by ancient Celtic communities, because it had become that much of a tradition for warriors to carry it with them. This is seen to be further highlighted by the facts it was used to decorate the battle equipment and armour of leaders and crusaders, both Muslim and Christian, as they marched into battle, with the former including battle shields and sword hilts. This was seen more prominently during the medieval era, with there being certain discoveries dating far back, such as the two shoulder armour claps found in a buried Anglo-Saxon ship dating back to early 7th century, and Anglo-Saxon sword hilts of gold and garnet from the 8th century. Are Ajax’s outfits any different? Well, yes, in the sense that they’re not utilizing proper armour pieces and he is dressed very inappropriately for battle, but my point is — armour or not, those are his battle clothes, and he adorns them with these red gemstones in such a similar fashion. How is he any different from those warriors, marching into battle adorned by the gleaming blood-red gemstone?

Speaking of battle — garnets were also utilised by Hunza warriors in the later part of the 19th century against the British, by being used in the form of pellets shot with bows and then guns later on; it was assumed that the gemstones would result in especially critical and bloody wounds, which, of-course they would. They’re stones. But the bow part can certainly be tied into Ajax, could it not? Considering he is a bow-user within the game and is actively trying to manage and improve his skills with the bow.

My final point is arguably my most favourite as well; it was actually quite a common choice for travellers journeying far from home as well, so much so that it also came to be known as the “Traveller’s stone”. It was seen as a bringer of good fortune and protection for those planning to journey far away; it was thought that it would bring them back to their homeland not only safe and sound, but a-lot quicker as well. It was given to travellers with the hope of protecting them from misfortunes and accidents while they were away. It was actually quite a common gift to loved ones embarking on faraway journeys for this reason; it has also been noted to be a popular gift among lovers to symbolise their affection but its most popular tradition — at-least historically — remains that of it being gifted with the hope of being reunited, of having this person who means so much to you, finally come back home to you. This could be taken in a romantic context, a familial context, or a platonic context; there’s absolutely no boundaries to this, though there have been records of friends exchanging garnets before parting, with the hope of being reunited through the gemstone they’re carrying with them. They were also used as good luck charms by sailors for this exact reason, because it was thought that having them would keep storms away. In-fact, the use of garnets as protection on sea is so popular that it is commonly thought that Noah only used a garnet to light his path on the Ark.

Speaking of the sea — I’ll get back to it being used by those travelling far away in a moment, but did you know that you can find garnets on beaches as well? Garnet gneiss actually; there have been many instances of people finding garnet sand on beaches, with crystals being eroded by the lashing of the waves. Considering Childe’s hydro vision, and his ascension requiring deep investigation of the beaches around Liyue, it wouldn’t be a reach to view this as another thread of value in this association.

Anyway, I’m really just copy-pasting the following lines from the skeleton of an analysis I offered last time, but it still just… does something to me. Whether you believe in stone-related superstitions and myths or not, is there not sweetness to be found in the desperate human impulse to find comfort? Even if you view the belief to be silly, the fact that to console the anxiety and fear rooted in that separation, the people from those times dedicated these feelings and warmth to this stone, isn't that special?

^ now, applying this pasted analysis, can you not imagine the anxiety his family must feel to have their Ajax be so far away from them? You may argue that the young ones don’t know; they just think he’s a toys salesman, but you would be forgetting one very important thing. Children worry, children worry when you go away for even a little longer than expected, and no-one really knows when Ajax really comes back home. He can write them letters of his return but does he even really know? Every time he talks of returning back home, is it really a promise, or is it a hope? To see his family just one more time? Children worry, and though Teucer does not know the truth about his big brother, he knows that his big brother isn’t with him. Do you think he doesn’t get afraid that his big brother might get hurt? Don’t you think Teucer has his innocent little worries regarding his big brother? Don’t you think his other siblings do, too?

I just think Garnet is the perfect stone for him, that’s all. I don’t think I can imagine another suiting the gemstone so perfectly, or another gemstone suiting him so perfectly.