Olmiite (New Find)

Item Description

An aesthetic, sculptural, two-sided cluster of very glassy and gemmy, intergrown balls of tan, elongated orthorhombic crystals of olmiite from the NEW, Fall 2008 find at the famous Nchwaning II Mine of South Africa. This is an excellent and uncommon varietal example from this find. The luster and sparkle of these crystals has a distinctive wet look. A bit of bruising is noted, but is a very modest detraction. In fact, the few broken balls reveal the concentric growth rings of the olmiite crystals, which is actually quite interesting. Olmiite was formerly known as poldervaartite, prior to recent extensive testing.