Gaudefroyite with Barite, Ettringite and Andradite

Item Description

This is a very good and very unusual combination specimen from the Kalahari Manganese Field! The piece is composed of a single, large (3.0 x 2.8 x 2.2cm) frosted Barite crystal nicely accented by a jumbled cluster of black, prismatic, very lustrous Gaudefroyite crystals with one doubly terminated crystal measuring an amazing 2cm in length! Gaudefroyite is a rare and unusual calcium manganese borate-carbonate found at only a few localities worldwide and the Kalahari Manganese Field produces the best specimens of the species! Other minor species in association include a druse of whitish-pink Oyelite on the back of the piece along with <1mm, pale yellow Ettringite and isolated clusters of red-orange, <1mm Andradite. An amazing combination specimen from this classic South African locality! In excellent condition! Looks great under a microscope as well! Ex. Baumann and Campbell collections.