“Japanese” Trapiche garnet: Gemology and Mineralogy of alluvial garnet from Mt. Nijyo, Nara

Abstract

“Trapiche” is a rare structure seen in several gem materials such as emerald, corundum, quartz and garnet. We found several tiny garnets showing trapiche structure from alluvial deposits from Takeda River near Mt. Nijyo, Nara, Japan. In this presentation, we report on gemological and mineralogical characteristics, and the mode of occurrence of trapiche garnets from Mt. Nijyo.