I know this is not a complete garnet. And it is without matrix. But I also know it is a genuine Russell, Massachusetts garnet collected in the 1880's by F. S. Johnson of Tyringham, Massachusetts. I know because my old collecting partner, Joel Sweet, bought this piece from Mr. Johnson's grandchildren. These "black garnets --- not melanite" as they were referred to, were hugely popular over a hundred years ago for their wonderfully equant textbook crystalization. This piece is only half a garnet, without matrix, but it is fairly large 5.7 x 5 x 2.2 cm. And it is a mineralogical treasure.