Afwillite (rare!)

Item Description

Afwillite is a rather rare hydrated calcium silicate that was named after Alpheus Fuller Williams of the De Beers Consolidated Mines of South Africa. This particular specimen was collected in 1989 and is one of the best I have seen for the species from Wessels, though I'm sure better pieces must exist. It's just the fact that it's not a micro and there is so much of it on one specimen that really impresses me. The piece hosts semi-foliated, white bladed crystals with minor Andradite and manganese mineral matrix. How often does one have the opportunity to purchase a small cabinet display specimen of a species is typically observed best in micro examples?