This Specimen has been sold.
2.2" Pink Olmiite/Poldervaartite Cluster - South Africa
This is an aggregation of massive Olmiite and Poldervaartite crystals on a Manganese rich matrix. In natural light, the crystals display a pinkish-brown color, while presenting a pinkish-salmon color under artificial light.
Poldervaartite is a calcium and manganese-based mineral, which features Ca as the dominant molecule. This is notable from its chemical formula, (Ca2,Mn)[SiO3(OH)](OH). This is very similar to olmiite, a manganese-dominant mineral with the chemical formula CaMn[SiO3(OH)](OH). Both are found in association with each other in a few known locations in South Africa, most commonly throughout the Kalahari Manganese Fields.
Poldervaartite tends to consist of a peach color enshrouded in a transparent mineral sheath, while olmiite typically exhibits a deeper salmon color, with little to no transparency depending on the specimen's manganese content. Olmiite also displays a deep red fluorescent color when placed under short-wave UV-light, whereas poldervaartite does not fluoresce.
Poldervaartite tends to consist of a peach color enshrouded in a transparent mineral sheath, while olmiite typically exhibits a deeper salmon color, with little to no transparency depending on the specimen's manganese content. Olmiite also displays a deep red fluorescent color when placed under short-wave UV-light, whereas poldervaartite does not fluoresce.
SPECIES
Poldervaartite/Olmiite
LOCATION
Kalahari Manganese Field, South Africa
SIZE
2.2x1.7", Largest Crystal 1.59"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#37749