Olmiite (rare)

Item Description

Olmiite is one of those minerals that is almost exclusively tied to a single world locality, in this case the Kalahari Manganese Field of South Africa. I can draw a parallel from Olmiite to Cavansite, both of which have beautiful distinctive colors and forms in eye-visible crsytals which are really only found in one place in fine specimens. Keep in mind that most rare minerals are either very small or devoid or color, so when you have species like this with good sized crystals of a beautiful hue, it's special. The Olmiite specimens from the N'Chwaning are iconic and top-notch, and have found their way into collections around the world. Without the specimens from the N'Chwaning Mines, most people would have no knowledge of this gorgeous calcium manganese silicate. It's important to note that Olmiite has only been a valid species since 2007, so it has to be one of the most significant discoveries in decades as most new species are often microscopic and not terribly colorful. Keep in mind that virtually all of these specimens were labeled as being Poldervaartite several years ago, which now is an exceptionally rare species. This piece features two thin layer of matrix which play host to very lustrous, gemmy, beautiful pinkish-orange colored colored groups of well-formed Olmiite associated with white Oyelite "balls" and tiny "jewel"-like crystals of completely colorless water-clear Calcite. The largest Olmiite measures 1.2 cm across. A very attractive specimen of this famous and now somewhat hard to find.