Bultfonteinite w/ Olmiite (R. Thomssen Coll.)

Item Description

A rich, dramatic and excellent two-sided combination miniature from the small, Fall, 2004 find. This find literally redefines what you can ask for for the rare species bultfonteinite, which usually occurs as a botryoidal aggregate (and then often covered by orlymanite) from the locality. THIS FIND, however, presents a significantly new habit for the species in the form of individual, acicular crystals to 7 or 8 mm in size. The front of the sculptural manganite crust is totally covered with sprays of snow-white needles and sharp, brown-sugar, olmiite prisms. The back is beautifully different. The dense crest of crystals at the top gives way to a very sparse matrix with just a few bultfonteinite sprays highlighted by the striking large, 8 mm, olmiite prism. The piece is significant for both richness, two-sided quality and size. R.W. Thomssen Collection of Dayton, Nevada.