Andradite

specimen number:
8311430

location:
Belqeys Mountain, Takab Co., West Azerbaijan, Iran

description:
Lustrous sharp green crystals of andradite, this is the variety known as demantoid, measuring to 0.9 cm in size across the top of matrix. This is in terrific condition.

The Belqeys Mountain area, situated in the Takab County of West Azerbaijan Province, Iran, is located within the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone, a region known for its intense tectonic and metamorphic history. Geologically, the deposit is a skarn system formed by the contact metamorphism of Mesozoic calcareous sediments by Tertiary granitic intrusions, creating the perfect conditions for the formation of andradite garnets. This locality is specifically famous for the demantoid variety of andradite, which occurs as vivid green, lustrous crystals or rounded nodules within serpentinitic and skarn-related host rocks, often exhibiting the high dispersion and "horsetail" inclusions prized by gemologists. Historically, while traditional mining and quarrying for metals in the surrounding Takab region (including the nearby Takab-Sain Qaleh belt) dates back centuries, the specific extraction of demantoid garnets from Belqeys Mountain gained international recognition primarily in the early 2000s. Mining at this site remains largely a small-scale or artisanal endeavor focused on the gemstone market rather than industrial minerals. As of 2026, the area continues to be a significant source of Iranian demantoid, with operations largely dependent on seasonal weather conditions due to the high elevation and rugged terrain of the mountain range.

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