3.9" Pink Poldervaartite/Olmiite On Matrix - South Africa

Pink Poldervaartite/Olmiite On Matrix - South Africa #37752

This is an aggregation of Poldervaartite and Olmiite 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. Small Calcite crystals can also be seen surrounding the Olmiite and Poldervaartite crystals.

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 Mn dominant mineral with the chemical formula CaMn[SiO3(OH)](OH). Both are found in association with each other in 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 more of a salmon color, with little to no transparency depending on the specimens Mn content. Olmiite also displays a deep red fluorescent color when placed under short-wave UV-light.

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