Olmiite (rare - good quality)

N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
Small Cabinet, 5.3 x 4.3 x 3.3 cm
Start Time: 11/12/2020 8:45:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 11/19/2020 6:45:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $236

Item Description

Without the specimens from the N'Chwaning Mines, most people would have no knowledge of the species Olmiite. This species, despite its noteworthy presence on the market for the past several years, is a remarkably rare species, only found in four mines in the world! The N'Chwaning specimens are iconic and world class, as collectors have seen exemplary representations of this gorgeous calcium manganese silicate. It's important to note that Olmiite has only been a valid species for just over 10 years, 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. These specimens have a distinctive glowing reddish / orange / peach color with crystal that are anything but small! I think of these specimens the same way I do Pentagonite, which is to say that they are both incredibly rare and beautiful species with clearly eye-visible crystals, and finest specimens truly come from one place in the world. This piece features several a pair of excellent and showy groups of well-crystallized, gemmy, fiery pinkish-orange Olmiite associated with white "balls" of what is either Bultfonteinite or Oyelite sitting on matrix. The largest Olmiite group measures 2.3 cm across. A very aesthetic small cabinet sized specimen. Fine quality and just beautiful. Priced in the inventory at $1,500.

Did You Know We Offer Custom Bases?

Learn More

Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$236 11/19/2020 6:38:01 pm (CST)
$226 11/19/2020 6:38:01 pm (CST)
$210 11/19/2020 6:37:10 pm (CST)
$200 11/19/2020 6:37:10 pm (CST)
$180 11/19/2020 6:35:52 pm (CST)
$170 11/19/2020 6:24:20 pm (CST)
$160 * 11/19/2020 6:16:26 pm (CST)
$160 * 11/19/2020 6:16:26 pm (CST)
$150 11/19/2020 3:33:44 pm (CST)
$140 11/19/2020 3:33:44 pm (CST)
$137 11/17/2020 9:29:00 pm (CST)
$127 11/17/2020 9:27:47 pm (CST)
$124 11/17/2020 9:27:47 pm (CST)
$114 11/17/2020 9:27:38 pm (CST)
$104 11/17/2020 9:27:38 pm (CST)
$94 11/17/2020 9:27:31 pm (CST)
$84 11/17/2020 9:27:31 pm (CST)
$74 11/17/2020 9:27:20 pm (CST)
$64 11/17/2020 9:27:20 pm (CST)
$54 11/16/2020 11:51:04 am (CST)
$49 11/16/2020 11:51:04 am (CST)
$10 11/15/2020 6:25:59 am (CST)
* Proxy Bid Battle: In the event of two customers inputting matching proxy bids, the leading bid goes to the earliest of the two proxy bids. Tie winners are shown in bold.