HESSONITE (miniature)

Hessonite, often referred to as "cinnamon stone," is a prevalent type of grossular with the chemical formula Ca3Al2Si3O12. The term is derived from the Ancient Greek word ἣσσων (hēssōn), which translates to inferior, highlighting its comparatively lower hardness and density relative to other garnet varieties. This gemstone typically exhibits a distinctive red hue that can range towards orange or yellow, resembling zircon. Historical research by Sir Arthur Herbert Church revealed that many stones thought to be zircon were actually hessonite, with the two distinguishable by their specific gravities—hessonite's being between 3.64 and 3.69, while zircon's is approximately 4.6. Hessonite's hardness is similar to quartz, rated around 7 on the Mohs scale, whereas most garnet species are closer to 7.5. The primary sources of hessonite are Sri Lanka and India, where it is predominantly found in placer deposits, although it can also occur in its native matrix. Additional occurrences have been noted in Brazil and California.