Olmiite (rare) with Calcite

N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
Small Cabinet, 7.8 x 5.6 x 4.7 cm
Start Time: 05/16/2019 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 05/23/2019 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed

Item Description

I tend to think of Olmiite the same way as Cavansite and Pentagonite. The best specimens of both species are plentiful on the market, but they are only found in such quantity and quality in one place in the world respectively. If it were not for the N'Chwaning Mines, I don't think most collectors would know of Olmiite as a species, the same as Cavansite / Pentagonite from India. With that said, Olmiite is still an incredibly rare species, despite its presence on the market. The best pieces of Olmiite from the N'Chwaning Mines are world-class in terms of crystal size, luster, color and gemminess. Olmiite is also fairly new as it was only approved as a species in 2006, and this is significant and most new species are typically microscopic and often not gemmy or colorful like this material. It's important to note that virtually every Olmiite found was originally labeled as Poldervaartite several years ago, but now we know that they are two separate species, with Poldervaartite being phenomenally rare. This piece features excellent quality groups of very lustrous, gemmy, well-crystallized, beautiful peach colored Olmiite associated with white to colorless Calcite scalenohedra with minor matrix. No real damage that I can see, and the Olmiite looks beautiful when backlit. A great matrix association specimen of fine quality. Priced in the inventory at $950.

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