Gaudefroyite (rare)

Item Description

Here we have a wonderful display specimen of Gaudefroyite from the famed N'Chwaning Mines in South Africa. Gaudefroyite is an extremely rare calcium manganese borate species. It is rarely seen in fine crystals over a few mm, and good display specimens are exceedingly rare. The best examples of Gaudefroyite are unquestionably found in the Kalahari Manganese Field. This specimen features many sharp, lustrous, prismatic black crystals of Gaudefroyite measuring up to a whopping 1.4 cm long on matrix. While the big crystal is the main focus, there are some smaller crystals with gorgeous striated "bullet"-shaped pyramidal terminations. Very little damage, though not completely pristine, and hard to find on the market now, especially with crystals this size. A very good piece for any rarities collector, a fan of South African minerals, or manganese-bearing minerals. Valued $1,500.
From the collection of Dr. Vasco Trancoso, a medical doctor and systematic mineral collector from Portugal (https://www.mindat.org/user-11954.html). The piece comes with labels from Larry Conklin and Dr. Donald Doell. This piece is pictured on mindat.org at https://www.mindat.org/photo-189479.html