melanite
mineral
Quick Summary
Melanite is a black variety of andradite garnet. Andradite is a calcium-iron garnet known for its high dispersion, meaning it separates light into colors more effectively than diamond. Melanite gets its black color from the presence of titanium, which can replace iron and silicon in the mineral's structure. The name "melanite" comes from the Greek word for black. This mineral is typically found in contact-metamorphosed limestone alongside grossular, another type of garnet.12
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