| Dioptase with Shattuckite |
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NR56P8: Botryoidal and spherical growths of small acicular crystals of Shattuckite with a single Dioptase crystal that has an excellent color and luster and very well defined faces and edges.
Tantara Mine, Kakounde, Likasi, Shaba Congo D.R.
Specimen size: 6 × 4.9 × 3.2 cm = 2.4 × 1.9 × 1.3
Main crystal size: 0.7 × 0.5 cm = 0.3 × 0.2
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Descloizite |
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TP76P6: Esthetic arborescent growth of flattened translucent crystals with sharp slightly curved edges, absolutely free of damage and partially coated by very small white crystals, probably Dolomite.
Berg Aukas, Grootfontein Namibia (±1970)
Specimen size: 5 × 4.2 × 3.6 cm = 2.0 × 1.7 × 1.4
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| Cuprite with Quartz |
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TD99P1: The crystals have the very neat forms of the dodecahedron; very unusual, as isolated forms, for Cuprite. They are bright and have reddish reflections, contrasting with the white matrix of Quartz.
Onganja, Seeis, Windhoek, Khomas Namibia
Specimen size: 8.2 × 6.2 × 2.7 × cm = 3.2 × 2.4 × 1.1
Main crystal size: 0.8 × 0.8 cm = 0.3 × 0.3
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Phlogopite with Calcite |
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TM63N2: A novelty of Tucson 2009. Flattened crystal of hexagonal profile on a matrix of pinkish Calcite. Very interesting is the fact that the crystals have some terminations. It has been analyzed and shown to be Phlogopite. Well send a copy of the analysis to the buyer of the sample.
Arandis, Swakopmund, Erongo Region Namibia (2008)
Specimen size: 5.2 × 5.2 × 4.2 cm = 2.0 × 2.0 × 1.7
Main crystal size: 4.6 × 3.8 cm = 1.8 × 1.5
Calcite minor fluorescence long & short UV
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| Fluorite |
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TX37L1: Group of well defined cubic Fluorite crystals, modified by octahedral triangular and dodecahedron rectangular faces. Transparent, showing dark geometric zonations on vertices. Green color is specially pleasant and intense.
Erongo Mountain, Usakos-Omaruru, Erongo Namibia (2007)
Specimen size: 6.7 × 6.3 × 0.9 cm = 2.6 × 2.5 × 0.4
Main crystal size: 0.7 × 0.6 cm = 0.3 × 0.2
Minor fluorescence long & short UV
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Shattuckite with Cerussite and Malachite |
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MX76M5: Nest of botryoidal growths of Shattuckite of very deep blue color, on Quartz matrix, with small crystals of Malachite and Cerussite. Really beautiful!
Otjikotu Mine, Kaokoveld, Kunene Namibia (2007)
Specimen size: 6.3 × 4.6 × 4.9 cm = 2.5 × 1.8 × 1.9
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| Octahedral Fluorite |
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TP86N0: Group of very sharp octahedral crystals. They are transparent, bright and have an excellent, very intense green color. From a recent find in Riemvasmaak in 2008.
Riemvasmaak, Gordonia, Namaqualand, Northern Cape South Africa (2008)
Specimen size: 5.4 × 4.7 × 2.1 cm = 2.1 × 1.9 × 0.8
Main crystal size: 1.8 × 1.3 cm = 0.7 × 0.5
Fluorescent long & short UV
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Octahedral Fluorite |
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TM97N0: Very aerial group of very sharp octahedral crystals. They are transparent, bright and have and excellent, very intense green color. From a recent find in Riemvasmaak in 2008.
Riemvasmaak, Gordonia, Namaqualand, Northern Cape South Africa (2008)
Specimen size: 4.3 × 4.2 × 2.4 cm = 1.7 × 1.7 × 0.9
Main crystal size: 2.1 × 1.5 cm = 0.8 × 0.6
Fluorescent long & short UV
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| Octahedral Fluorite |
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TH97N0: Very aerial group of very sharp octahedral crystals of a considerable size. They are transparent, bright and have and excellent, very intense green color. From a recent find in Riemvasmaak in 2008.
Riemvasmaak, Gordonia, Namaqualand, Northern Cape South Africa (2008)
Specimen size: 6 × 5 × 3.6 cm = 2.4 × 2.0 × 1.4
Main crystal size: 3.3 × 3 cm = 1.3 × 1.2
Fluorescent long & short UV
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Octahedral Fluorite with Quartz |
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TG50N0: Group of very sharp octahedral crystals. They are transparent, bright, with inclusions, and have an excellent, very intense green color. Partially coated by white Quartz. From a recent find in Riemvasmaak in 2008.
Riemvasmaak, Gordonia, Namaqualand, Northern Cape South Africa (2008)
Specimen size: 7 × 5.9 × 4.5 cm = 2.8 × 2.3 × 1.8
Main crystal size: 2.2 × 1.6 cm = 0.9 × 0.6
Fluorescent long & short UV
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| Octahedral Fluorite |
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TB93N0: An octahedral crystal of considerable size, of very sharp faces and edges. Translucent and bright, it has an excellent, very deep, green color. It is on a base of the same mineral. From a recent find in Riemvasmaak in 2008.
Riemvasmaak, Gordonia, Namaqualand, Northern Cape South Africa (2008)
Specimen size: 6.7 × 6 × 4.8 cm = 2.6 × 2.4 × 1.9
Main crystal size: 4.9 × 4.4 cm = 1.9 × 1.7
Fluorescent long & short UV
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Arfvedsonite with Albite |
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MB70M8: Crystal has multiple termination and it is partially fibrous. It looks very well defined, very aerial, and has excellent luster. It stands on a matrix of small crystals of Albite.
Mount Malosa, Zomba Malawi (2008)
Specimen size: 8 × 5 × 3.9 cm = 3.1 × 2.0 × 1.5
Main crystal size: 7.4 × 2 cm = 2.9 × 0.8
Albite fluorescent short UV
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| Aegirine with Zircon and Feldspar |
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EM46P4: A fan group of very elongated prismatic crystals with complex terminations, very bright and with a group of white Feldspar crystals (probably Microcline) partially covered by small doubly terminated crystals of Zircon on the base of the sample. For their luster and size of crystals this is an exceptional piece.
Mount Malosa, Zomba Malawi (04/2009)
Specimen size: 17.5 × 3.9 × 2.9 cm = 6.9 × 1.5 × 1.1
Euro:1400 / US$1998 / Yen:186700
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Spessartine with Mica |
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ER86P2: Very aerial on its small Muscovite matrix, the trapezohedral crystal is almost complete and has an excellent definition of its faces and edges. Color, luster and transparency are magnificent.
Sangulungulu Hill, Naan, Loliondo, Ngorongoro, Arusha region Tanzania (2008)
Specimen size: 2.5 × 1.9 × 1.9 cm = 1.0 × 0.7 × 0.7
Main crystal size: 1.9 × 1.9 cm = 0.7 × 0.7
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| Corundum |
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TC64L1: This tabular crystal shows a deep red color, translucent under a light source. With triangular growth striations on the pinacoid.
Ampanihy area, Toliara Madagascar
Specimen size: 3.2 × 3.1 × 0.6 cm = 1.3 × 1.2 × 0.2
Fluorescent long UV & minor fluorescence short UV
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Twinned Chrysoberyl |
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MB70L1: This floating twinned Chrysoberyl, which has well-defined contours, intense yellow color and brilliance, shows an assymmetric growth due probably to formation conditions. The two parts of the twin are well marked by the central joint and fine divergent growth striations. Good size and very original.
Lac Alaotra, Ambatondrazaka, Tamatave Madagascar (2005)
Specimen size: 3.8 × 2.3 × 0.3 cm = 1.5 × 0.9 × 0.1
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| Twinned Calcite |
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TC67J3: Group of crystals from the August 2004, find. The aggregate is very attractive and we note the clearness of the crystals, the color and luster and, especially, the existence of twins formed by the contact of two rhombohedrons.
Sambava, Antsiranana Madagascar (08/2004)
Specimen size: 6.7 × 4 × 3.7 cm = 2.6 × 1.6 × 1.5
Main crystal size: 4.5 × 3 cm = 1.8 × 1.2
Intense zoned fluorescence long & short UV
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Twinned Calcite |
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TB27G9: A group of slightly flattened crystals that have a very uncommon type of twinning. They are on a matrix of little Quartz crystals. With the Calcite, some white prismatic crystals of Laumontite have also grown.
Sambava, Antsiranana Madagascar (08/2004)
Specimen size: 6.5 × 4.5 × 4 cm = 2.6 × 1.8 × 1.6
Main crystal size: 1.5 × 1.3 cm = 0.6 × 0.5
Intense fluorescence long & short UV
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| Twinned Calcite |
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TC37F3: A novelty from Madagascar, but a common species: Calcite. An attractive group in which the sharpness of the crystals stands out. They stand out for their color, brilliance, and the presence of extraordinarily unusual twinning formed by the interpenetration of two rhombohedra.
Sambava, Antsiranana Madagascar (08/2004)
Specimen size: 5.2 × 3.3 × 2.3 cm = 2.0 × 1.3 × 0.9
Main crystal size: 2.6 × 1.7 cm = 1.0 × 0.7
Fluorescent long & short UV
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If you want to know more about the Andradite (Demantoid) from Ambanja please follow this link
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Andradite (Demantoid) |
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EG87P2: A novelty in Ste. Marie 2009. Group of dodecahedral crystals of very well defined faces and edges and good color and luster and an excellent transparency. The matrix is formed by minute growths of the same garnet. The locality was not well known until recently, and the habit of this Demantoid is really unusual.
Ambanja, Diana, Antsiranana Madagascar (05-06/2009)
Specimen size: 4.4 × 2.8 × 1.5 cm = 1.7 × 1.1 × 0.6
Main crystal size: 0.7 × 0.4 cm = 0.3 × 0.2
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EA7P2: A novelty in Ste. Marie 2009. Group of dodecahedral crystals of very well defined faces and edges and good color, transparency and luster. The matrix is formed by minute growths of the same garnet. The locality was not well known until recently, and the habit of this Demantoid is really unusual.
Ambanja, Diana, Antsiranana Madagascar (05-06/2009)
Specimen size: 2.8 × 2 × 1.2 cm = 1.1 × 0.8 × 0.5
Main crystal size: 0.5 × 0.4 cm = 0.2 × 0.2
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Andradite (Demantoid) |
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EF50P2: A novelty in Ste. Marie 2009. Group of dodecahedral crystals on matrix, one of them clearly dominant, isolated and very big for the variety. Faces and edges are very well defined and have very good color, luster and transparency. The locality was not well known until recently, and the habit of this Demantoid is really unusual.
Ambanja, Diana, Antsiranana Madagascar (05-06/2009)
Specimen size: 4.1 × 3 × 3.1 cm = 1.6 × 1.2 × 1.2
Main crystal size: 1.3 × 1.2 cm = 0.5 × 0.5
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| Andradite (Demantoid) |
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EP46N8: A novelty in Ste. Marie 2009. Group of crystals with a dominant dodecahedron and the faces of a trapezohedron on the edges. The crystals, on matrix, are very clear and bright, have a good green color and a curious flattened shape. The locality was not well known until recently, and habit of the Demantoid is really unusual.
Ambanja, Diana, Antsiranana Madagascar (05-06/2009)
Specimen size: 2.9 × 2.7 × 1.9 cm = 1.1 × 1.1 × 0.7
Main crystal size: 0.7 × 0.6 cm = 0.3 × 0.2
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Andradite (Demantoid) |
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EF51P2: A novelty in Ste. Marie 2009. Group of dodecahedral crystals of a considerable size for this variety of Andradite. Faces and edges of crystals that coat the matrix are very well defined and the color, transparency and luster are excellent. The locality was not well known until recently, and the habit of this Demantoid is really unusual.
Ambanja, Diana, Antsiranana Madagascar (05-06/2009)
Specimen size: 10.4 × 6.5 × 2.2 cm = 4.1 × 2.6 × 0.9
Main crystal size: 0.7 × 0.7 cm = 0.3 × 0.3
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From the great Olmiite finds made in N'Chwaning Mine we offer this further material. The quality is, as you can see, much better than the Poldervaartites found in the Wessels Mine. Notably the color is much more intense and redder. On the subject of the color it is necessary to warn you that some of these new Olmiites show an intense color change depending of the kind of light used: in day light they become yellowish but in artificial light they are a spectacular strawberry red color.
| Olmiite with Calcite |
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TM96N2: A novelty of Tucson 2009. Unusual groups of crystals of irregular contour, more or less oval-shaped. They are pink, and more intense on the terminations. They are on very acute scalenohedrons of Calcite and on matrix. They have come from a single geode. At first we believed they could be Poldervaartite due to the presence of the accompanying Calcite and the pinkish color of the crystals, but the analysis confirms that they are Olmiite (the manganoan end of the series) and not Poldervaartite (the calcian end). Well send a copy of the analysis to the buyer of the sample. The specimen has been reviewed, photographed and published as a new discovery in the magazine Mineral up on page 29 in number 2009/2.
N'chwaning II Mine, upper levels, Kuruman, Kalahari South Africa (12/2008)
Specimen size: 3.4 × 2.3 × 3.8 cm = 1.3 × 0.9 × 1.5
Fluorescent long & short UV
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Olmiite with Calcite |
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TP47N2: A novelty of Tucson 2009. Unusual groups of crystals of irregular contour, more or less oval-shaped. They are pink, and more intense on the terminations. They are on very acute scalenohedrons of Calcite and on matrix. They have come from a single geode. At first we believed they could be Poldervaartite due to the presence of the accompanying Calcite and the pinkish color of the crystals, but the analysis confirms that they are Olmiite (the manganoan end of the series) and not Poldervaartite (the calcian end). Well send a copy of the analysis to the buyer of the sample.
N'chwaning II Mine, upper levels, Kuruman, Kalahari South Africa (12/2008)
Specimen size: 3.9 × 4 × 3.3 cm = 1.5 × 1.6 × 1.3
Fluorescent long & short UV
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| Olmiite with Quartz |
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MA88N6: Globular growths of small crystals of Olmiite whose faces are very well defined and very bright, with two degrees of color, clear cream in some areas and slightly orange in others. On matrix, with small crystals of white Quartz.
N'chwaning II Mine, 45 level, Kuruman South Africa (10/2008)
Specimen size: 4.8 × 4.7 × 3.3 cm = 1.9 × 1.9 × 1.3
Main crystal size: 1.2 × 1 cm = 0.5 × 0.4
Fluorescence short UV & low fluorescence long UV
Type locality
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Olmiite |
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MG90M5: A novelty of Munich 2008. The sample forms globular growths of poorly defined crystals. In some zones is possible to recognize two phases of growth. In the first one the aggregate is more spherical and of deeper color. The second, external, phase has a lighter color and it is possible to see the crystal faces. The color of the growths between orange and yellow is different from the older pieces, classified then as Poldervaartite.
N'chwaning II Mine, 45 level, Kuruman South Africa (10/2008)
Specimen size: 8.6 × 5.7 × 4.9 cm = 3.4 × 2.2 × 1.9
Main crystal size: 1.2 × 1.2 cm = 0.5 × 0.5
Fluorescence short UV & low fluorescence long UV
Type locality
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| Olmiite |
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EG6K9: Excellent miniature. The prismatic crystals are similar to a wheatsheaf with good brilliance and color. On rocky matrix.
N'chwaning II Mine, section 5 south stope, 46-47 roof, Kuruman South Africa (01/2002)
Specimen size: 2.5 × 2 × 1.4 cm = 1.0 × 0.8 × 0.6
Main crystal size: 1.2 × 0.8 cm = 0.5 × 0.3
Type locality
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Olmiite |
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EM11E8: A double-spherical group of micro-crystals that have magnificent color and brilliance. A perfect sample if you want one a representative one in your collection. The very minimal matrix adds a little extra touch.
N'chwaning II Mine, section 5 south, stope 46-47 roof, Kuruman, Kalahari desert South Africa (01/2002)
Specimen size: 3.7 × 1.9 × 2 cm = 1.5 × 0.7 × 0.8
Fluorescent long & short UV
Type locality
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| Olmiite |
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EJ12K9: Double globular growth, good brilliance. Color varies between orange and creamy. On rock matrix.
N'chwaning II Mine, section 5 south stope 46-47 roof, Kuruman South Africa (01/2002)
Specimen size: 3.5 × 3 × 3 cm = 1.4 × 1.2 × 1.2
Type locality
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Olmiite |
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EQ99: Excellent color, perfection, and esthetic: the form is really nice, it looks like a snowman. A exclusive and funny thing.
N'chwaning II Mine, section 5 south, stope 46-47 roof, Kuruman, Kalahari desert South Africa (01/02)
Specimen size: 2.5 × 1.7 × 1.7 cm = 1.0 × 0.7 × 0.7
Main crystal size: 2.4 × 1.9 cm = 0.9 × 0.7
Fluorescent long & short UV
Type locality
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| Olmiite |
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EJ77C2: Good color. In this case a perfect miniature.
N'chwaning II Mine, section 5 south, stope 46-47 roof, Kuruman, Kalahari desert South Africa (01/02)
Specimen size: 4 × 3.5 × 2.2 cm = 1.6 × 1.4 × 0.9
Main crystal size: 2 × 1.4 cm = 0.8 × 0.6
Fluorescent long & short UV
Type locality
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Olmiite with Calcite |
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TR37E2: Recently new Olmiites were found in N'chwaning. The color is a little more orange than the first ones and these ones are on a matrix of small crystals of gemmy Calcite, making the whole specimen esthetically pleasing. In this case the crystals of Poldervaarite form large balls, well positioned on the matrix, aerial, and with a good contrast with the white Calcite matrix.
N'chwaning II Mine, Kuruman South Africa (11/03)
Specimen size: 3 × 2.7 × 1.8 cm = 1.2 × 1.1 × 0.7
Main crystal size: 1.9 × 1.8 cm = 0.7 × 0.7
Extremely fluorescent long & short UV
Type locality
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| Olmiite |
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EP38C0: Good crystal size and excellent transparency.
N'chwaning II Mine, section 5 south, stope 46-47 roof, Kuruman, Kalahari desert South Africa (01/02)
Specimen size: 4.9 × 4.4 × 2.5 cm = 1.9 × 1.7 × 1.0
Main crystal size: 1.3 × 0.7 cm = 0.5 × 0.3
Fluorescent long & short UV
Type locality
Euro:270 / US$385 / Yen:36000
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Olmiite |
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EF62E7: From the first samples of Olmiite found, we have managed to obtain this great specimen. It has a large sphere of crystals, which show very good color and brilliance, and are on matrix. As you can see in the photo it is a great, high quality specimen.
N'chwaning II Mine, section 5 south, stope 46-47 roof, Kuruman, Kalahari desert South Africa (01/2002)
Specimen size: 5.4 × 3.9 × 3 cm = 2.1 × 1.5 × 1.2
Main crystal size: 4 × 3.6 cm = 1.6 × 1.4
Intense fluorescence long & short UV
Type locality
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| Olmiite |
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EK27C0: A pinker color than the other specimens, large size and very well positioned at the top of the matrix.
N'chwaning II Mine, section 5 south, stope 46-47 roof, Kuruman, Kalahari desert South Africa (01/02)
Specimen size: 5 × 3.5 × 2 cm = 2.0 × 1.4 × 0.8
Main crystal size: 2.9 × 2.7 cm = 1.1 × 1.1
Fluorescent long & short UV
Type locality
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| Olmiite |
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EB2B9: Two photos showing its spectacular color change. Just minor matrix on its rear, almost a floater specimen complete in all sides with perfect form and excellent luster-color perfection. The crystals have a spherical form, they are gemmy and are formed by hundreds of small parallel grow crystals. A beauty!. This specimen was photographed for the magazine Mineralien Welt and appears on page 18 of number 1/2009.
N'chwaning II Mine, section 5 south, stope 46-47 roof, Kuruman, Kalahari desert South Africa (01/02)
Specimen size: 5.5 × 3.7 × 3.2 cm = 2.2 × 1.5 × 1.3
Fluorescent long & short UV
Type locality
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Very interesting novelty of 2007 Munich Show: trigonal crystals of Ilmenite transformed into an intimate intergrowth of Rutile and Hematite. Microscopic examination shows that Rutile (reddish) occurs as a delicate network of needles which are oriented parallel to the basal sections of the former Ilmenite, while Hematite (black) forms the interstices.
If you want to know more about Rutile and Hematite pseudomorph after Ilmenite please follow this link