Hawthorneite (ridiculously rare) with Pargasite and Olivine (ex Bill Wilson Collection)

Item Description

This an unbelievably rare specimen of the barium, titanium, chromium iron oxide species, Hawthorneite from the type locality, the Bultfontein Mine in Kimberley, South Africa. This is not only the first specimen of this mineral that we've ever had to offer, I looked on mindat.org, and there isn't a single photographed example of the species on the entire site. The species was named in 1987 after John Barry Hawthorne, who was the Chief Geologist for DeBeers Consolidated Mines in South Africa. This piece features a few small (1 mm) spots of black metallic Hawthorneite associated with small spots of gemmy rich emerald green Pargasite (chromium-bearing according to the label) plus yellow-green to golden-brown Olivine on grey basalt matrix. You can see the Hawthorneite best in the first photo, where it reflects with a blue metallic sheen on the surface. If you collect rarities or minerals from the type locality, this is a magnificent opportunity to get your hands on something that is virtually unseen in today's market. Do not miss out on this chance, as this is the only piece of the material we have to offer, and it's highly unlikely we will have another one soon. From the collection of Bill Wilson, former president of Rhode Island Mineral Hunters club.