---
title: "Grossular: meaning in gemology"
description: "Grossular is a garnet species made of calcium, aluminum and silicon. It has perhaps the widest color range of any garnet species."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/grossular
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/og-digital-gemology.png?v=d224fb01
---

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[Glossary](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary) · Colored gemstones

# Grossular

Also called grossularite, tsavorite, hessonite

Grossular is a garnet species made of calcium, aluminum and silicon. It has perhaps the widest color range of any garnet species.

## Properties

**Gemological properties of grossular**

| Refractive index | 1.73 to 1.76 (usual); full range 1.720 to 1.800 (IGS) |
| --- | --- |
| Birefringence | None (singly refractive) |
| Optic character | Singly refractive |
| Dispersion | 0.028 |
| Specific gravity | 3.55 to 3.73 (gemdat), usually near 3.65 (IGS); full range 3.4 to 3.71 (IGS) |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 6.5 to 7.5 |
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Pleochroism | None |
| Absorption spectrum | Orange stones may show this band, 407 nm; orange stones may show this band, 430 nm |

Published values. They change a little from stone to stone. Our tools do not model grossular yet. Sources: [International Gem Society](https://www.gemsociety.org/article/grossular-garnet/) · [Gemdat](https://www.gemdat.org/gem-1755.html)

## In more detail

Tsavorite is the green variety of grossular, and vanadium produces its color. Hessonite ranges from orange and orangy red to brownish red. Hessonite often has a turbulent inner look, called the roiled effect. Tsavorite is one of the harder garnets.

## Related terms

- [Garnet](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/garnet): Garnet is a group of closely related mineral species. They share the same crystal structure but differ in chemical composition.
- [Demantoid](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/demantoid): Demantoid is the green variety of andradite, a garnet species of calcium, iron and silicon. Chromium causes its color.
- [Spessartine](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/spessartine): Spessartine is an orange garnet species made of manganese, aluminum and silicon. Its hues are warm: yellow, orange, red or brown.
- [Gem variety](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/gem-variety): A variety is a subdivision of a gem species, usually by color. Ruby and sapphire are varieties of corundum, and emerald is a variety of beryl.

[All 369 terms](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary)