Andradite

specimen number:
2262113

location:
Kayes Region, Mali

description:
Brilliant lustrous crystals of sharply formed andradite to 1.5 cm in size across the front of matrix. Attractive and in good condition.

The Kayes Region in western Mali is a significant geological province characterized by the presence of the Kayes Inlier and the Kenieba-Boutounguandi belt, which are part of the West African Craton. Geologically, the area features extensive contact metamorphism where Neoproterozoic limestone and marble units were intruded by igneous rocks, resulting in the formation of mineral-rich skarns. The region is a premier locality for andradite garnet, particularly the variety known as demantoid, which occurs as lustrous, lime-green to olive-green dodecahedral crystals within these skarn zones. Historically, while traditional small-scale mining and quarrying for gold have occurred for centuries, the systematic extraction of garnets gained momentum in the late 1990s and early 2000s after the discovery of high-quality gem material near Diakon. Industrial mining for gold remains the primary economic driver in the region, with major operations at sites like Sadiola Hill and Yatela commencing in the 1990s and continuing through various expansion phases. As of 2026, the Kayes Region remains a vital area for both large-scale precious metal production and the artisanal recovery of world-class mineral specimens.

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