Hi Richard,
Since it’s ridiculously late and I’m still up (but don’t feel like
doing much else, at this hour), I’ll take a shot at your trivia
question {:o)! Let’s see, “Melanite”? I’ll guess that the term refers
to the brownish variation of Grandeite, the greenish-yellow to golden
brown Andradite-Grossular hybrid from Mali, and that it’s name, like
the word “melanization”, comes from the same root word that brings us
melanin… In other words, Rich, I’m guessing that this garnet is a
brownish color, and that – especially given your timing (just before
Labor Day weekend, here in the US) – it gets its name from that
human behavior known as sunbathing!
So… how’d I do?
Regards,
Doug Turet