Pink Datolite with Hausmannite (unusual combo)

Item Description

The Datolite and Hausmannite combination is quite rare, and the the famous Wessels Mine is the only locality that had it in any accessible amount (some time ago!). On this fabulous specimen, the Datolites dominate. The largest crystal is an amazing 1.3 cm in length, and the Datolites are gemmy and a lovely rose color. The luster is excellent, as is their balanced distribution surrounding the Hausmannites. The Hausmannites themselves are superb - lustrous, razor-sharp, and about .4 cm on edge. And the matrix is covered by thousands of shimmery micro Rhodochrosites. This is just a great miniature, for what it is, with shocking combinatorial aesthetics. Frankly, I bet most people would look at this and think it is a pink calcite, not a datolite, because the material is so rare that most folks have never seen one. From the 1980s, and ex Charlie Key Collection