Manganite on Calcite

Item Description

Highly unusual, a Russian rarity and a worldwide rarity for the species - this is a Russian manganite! A rounded, squarish cluster of scintillating, black Manganite crystals are centered perfectly on a cluster of white, bladed Calcite crystals. The thinly bladed Manganite crystals are tightly grouped into spherules about 1 cm across and these are tightly aggregated as well producing a rounded, very aesthetic, sparkling composite on the starkly contrasting white Calcite discs. The Calcites range in size from 0.5 to 1.2 cm across. This is a rare specimen originating from the Sokolovskoe Iron Mine in Kazakhstan, in fact, the species is not listed as a mineral occuring from this mine on MINDAT! Kurt had access to so many early Russian exports in the 1980s-1990s and the collection is filled with surprises like this.