This brilliantly iridescent rainbow garnet cluster from Arlit, Niger is one of the finest small-format specimens in our inventory. Measuring 15.3mm x 11.75mm x 9.5mm, this piece features a nearly complete, larger central crystal perched elegantly atop a matrix of smaller, finely formed garnets—all exhibiting vivid metallic diffraction in gold, green, violet, and magenta.

What sets this specimen apart is the exceptional brightness and saturation of its iridescence—often reserved for polished material, but here presented in natural crystalline form. Each face of the central garnet flashes with intense lamellar diffraction, enhanced by the sharp crystallography and minimal surface wear. The underlying matrix of smaller, equally lustrous crystals provides a striking textural contrast and elevates the overall composition with depth and movement.

Rainbow garnets from Arlit are revered for their spectral fire, but few clusters show this level of clarity, color intensity, and three-dimensional aesthetic in such a compact form. This is a showpiece-quality thumbnail—a perfect example of how nature can produce both optical wonder and architectural balance in a single mineral expression. A true gem for collectors who appreciate both fine crystallization and rare light phenomena.