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This article reviews the development of mineralogy as a science by focusing largely on the common silicate garnets of general formula {X 3 }[Y 2 ](Si 3 )O 12 . It tells of important discoveries, analyses, and proposals by various scientists relating to crystallography, crystal structures, isomorphism, and solid solution starting in Europe in the late 1700s. The critical recognition of the importance of ionic size of atoms in determining crystal-chemical properties and solid-solution behavior is emphasized. The two garnet species “pyralspite” and “(u)grandite,” which were considered to represent two independent solid-solution series, were introduced by  N.H. Winchell and A.N. Winchell (1927)  in their well-known book  Elements of Optical Mineralogy . Critical comments on the assumptions behind the classification scheme have been pointed out for at least 50 yr, but it remains in use. There is more, though, behind this garnet classification scheme than just simple terminology. There are a long series of scientific discoveries and advances that are largely forgotten by the broader mineralogical community. They begin, here, with the work of the “father of crystallography,” René-Just Haüy, concerning the microscopic nature of crystals around 1780 and include later discoveries and proposals by Mitscherlich, Beudant, Wollaston, and Kopp relating to isomorphism and solid-solution behavior all before 1850. A second key era started with the discovery of X-ray diffraction in 1912 that allowed the atomic structures of crystals and, furthermore, atomic and ion radii to be determined. In terms of isomorphism and solid solution, the proposals and studies of Vegard, Zambonini, Wherry, A.N. Winchell, and the “father of crystal chemistry” Goldschmidt are briefly discussed. The recognition of the sizes of atoms and ions, along with an understanding of chemical bonding behavior in crystals, was critical in the establishment of what can be termed “modern mineralogy,” a quantitative science as it is largely understood today that emerged by the mid-1930s. The silicate garnet system pyrope-almandine-spessartine-grossular-andradite-uvarovite shows extensive homovalent substitutional solid solution over two structural sites and complete compositional variation between “pyralspite species” and “ugrandite species” has been documented. Thus, the prerequisites behind the terms “pyralspite” and “(u)grandite,” as originally formulated and often accepted even today, are incorrect and use of this classification is not recommended. Diffraction determinations of the volumes of garnet end-members and volumes of mixing of garnet solid solutions give physical insight into solid-solution behavior. Today, investigations of local structural and crystal-chemical properties, together with determinations of lattice strain and thermodynamic mixing properties, of silicate solid solutions are leading to an ever more quantitative understanding of mineral behavior from the microscopic to macroscopic level.

A tale of two garnets: The role of solid solution in the development toward a modern mineralogy