Desautelsite (rare)

Item Description

Desautelsite is a fairly rare hydrated magnesium manganese carbonate that is found in less than ten localities in the world. The species is the Mn analogue of Pyroaurite and was named after the former curator of minerals at the Smithstonian Institution in Washington, D.C. This piece is from the Clear Creek area of San Benito County, California, specifically the Artinite Pit which is obviously is best known for producing some superb specimens of Artinite. Desautelsite was found as drusy coatings on Artinite, which originally formed in bright orange crystals, but seem to have oxidized / dehydrated to a dark brown color. There are also some micro white balls of Hydromagnesite on the piece as well. Hard to find on the market and certainly worth picking up for any rare species collector.