Definition

A type of mineral that is a member of the garnet group, composed mainly of manganese and aluminum, and has a specific crystal structure.

Example

Spessartine is often found in metamorphic rocks and is valued for its vibrant orange color.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of spessartine?

No, I haven't. What is it?

It's a type of garnet that's rich in manganese.

That sounds interesting! I love learning about different minerals.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Spessartine is derived from the name of the Spessart mountain range in Germany, where the mineral was first discovered. The suffix '-ine' is commonly used in chemistry to denote substances, particularly minerals. Therefore, spessartine refers to a mineral named after its geographical origin.

Memory Tip

Think of the Spessart mountains in Germany as the place where this mineral was first found, and remember that the '-ine' suffix indicates it is a mineral.

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