Olmiite on Calcite

Item Description

Wonderful and aesthetic miniature of intergrown "balls" of excellent color, fine quality, sparkly, gemmy/translucent, orthorhombic Olmiite crystals. The "balls" rest atop an interesting matrix of glassy, rhombohedral Calcite crystal sections. The world's finest examples of the RARE species easily come from the famous N'Chwaning II Mine, the Type Locality. Specimens were originally described as RARE Poldervaartite, an Ca-analogue, but analysis in 2006-2007 proved this to be a new species, being Magnesium-rich. The calcite fluoresces two shades of orange under LW and SW UV light, as a bonus. Comes with a custom-made and engraved lucite base valued at $145 for free. A very fine and showy miniature example of the species and noted locale. From the collection of Charlie Key, noted mineral dealer, which we purchased around 2010. Valued $3500.