Sussexite on Calcite
stock #24.1-116
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
6.2 x 3.9 x 2 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
A very fine and distinctive Sussexite from a very unusual locality, the famed NChwanning Mine of South Africa. The specie is best known from Franklin, New Jersey and is named for the county there. However the New Jersey specimens are normally massive or asbestos form fibrous clusters. This is very different with radiating balls of distinct crystals perched on bladed pink Calcites. This is a fairly rare Manganese Borate mineral almost never seen outside of Franklin, and almost never in attractive specimens. This is a nice exception to that rule. Excellent addition to any suite of Manganese minerals or NChwanning species.
Rhodochrosite - classic scalenohedral crystals
stock #22.1-359
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
1.7 x 1 x .9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $480
Post Tucson 2022
A small but brilliant red thumbnail of gemmy Rhodochrosite from the N'Chwaning Mine (South Africa). This cluster of crystals has several perfect, complete terminations but there is some cleaving as well seen from one side. Despite many efforts to find more of this quality at the mines, nothing like these has been recovered for many years. These are highly sought after and larger examples are often priced in the mid 4 to 5 figures. This is a small but bright piece at a reasonable cost.
Sturmanite - large stacked crystals
stock #21.1-455
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
7.4 x 4.7 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $1950
New Year 22
Very large and well-defined cluster of Sturmanite crystals with a patina that in some light shows a iridescent color play. Not long ago Sturmanite was a very rare mineral and such huge crystals were unheard of. The great finds from South Africa changed that, but this size and level of quality is still very uncommon. Very impressive in person and now very hard to get.
Jouravskite
stock #21.1-377
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
3.6 x 1.8 x 1.4 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $360
New Year 22
Bright yellow crystals of the rare mineral Jourvaskite on matrix. Although small, up to just 1.5mm, these crystals are huge for the specie. Vivid color and in excellent condition. The backside of the matrix is massive Manganite with a thin layer of Rhodochrosite underlying the Jouravskite, Quartz and what seems to be Xontolite. A choice and pretty specimen of a rare mineral; ex Terry Szenics collection.
Olmiite
stock #19.1-237
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
3.8 x 3.4 x 2.2 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $90
Spring 2019
A cute specimen of Olmiite crystals in spherical form on contrasting matrix. Nice luster and fair pink color, these were once all labeled as Poldervartites (a rare mineral at the time of the find) later re-studied and classified as Olmiite (also at that time a rare mineral). This discovery was sizable and enough good specimens found to allow collectors to own a nice piece without major financial pain. In good condition and a good value.
A transparent gem crystal of bright red Rhodo from the classic N Chwanning #1 mine. This is part of a small find made late last year, the result of years of digging in an attempt to find more of the legendary scalenohedral Rhodos last found over thirty years ago. Those are now some of the most highly prized mineral specimens in the world. This new find was small as were most of the specimens, but the quality was excellent. The Rhodo crystals are lustrous and with top intense red. This specimen has a series of face modifications not seen in older materials. The main large crystal is in perfect condition, the termination is not cleaved as many were. One smaller crystal on the side has a cleave that can be seen in some orientations but not in others, that cleave is small but needs to be mentioned. Very few of the old find or this newer one were so clean. Big display impact for the small size.
Rhodochrosite New find, classic locale
stock #18.1-667
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
2.5 x 2.2 x 2 CM (thumbnail)
price: $1350
A choice and brilliant thumbnail of complex, gem grade Rhodochrosite. This is part of a small find made late last year at the famed Nchwaning #1 mine. The result of years of digging in an attempt to find more of the legendary scalenohedral gem clear Rhodos last produced over thirty years ago. Those are now some of the most highly prized mineral specimens in the world. This new find was small but the quality was excellent. The Rhodo crystals are small but perfect, lustrous and with top intense red. This specimen has a mix of habits and forms all with a luster that is almost impossibly bright, best appreciated in person. A few tiny Hematite crystals are scattered on the piece as well otherwise this is all pure gem Rhodochrosite. We had the opportunity to select a few of the very best pieces from the find as they were unveiled at the Munich show, this is one of them.
Rhodochrosite (new find at classic locale)
stock #18.1-673
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
3.2 x 2.1 x 1.3 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $2250
A superb large thumbnail/ toenail Rhodo that has exception bright luster, color and is perfectly undamaged. This is part of a small find made late last year at the famed Nchwaning #1 mine. The result of years of digging in an attempt to find more of the legendary scalenohedral gem clear Rhodos last produced over thirty years ago. Those are now some of the most highly prized mineral specimens in the world. This new find was small but the quality was excellent. The Rhodo crystals are small but perfect, lustrous and with top intense red. This specimen has a mix of habits and forms all with a luster that is almost impossibly bright, best appreciated in person.
A few tiny Hematite crystals are scattered on the piece as well otherwise this is all pure gem Rhodochrosite. We had the opportunity to select a few of the very best pieces from the find as they were unveiled at the Munich show, this is one of them.
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