Olmiite (Poldervaartite)
stock #8.AE-945
N Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari Manganese Filed
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
2.9 x 2.8x .8 CM (thumbnail)
price: $180
Late Summer 2021
A cute thumbnail of what was once a very rare mineral. This find was very important and large, the mineral was no long incredibly rare and it was also realized most of these were actually more accurately identified as another rare mineral, Olmiite. The South African discovery was and is the world's best and for all practical purposes the only locality for good specimens. This piece has a nice 1.8 CM crystal with the faces showing complex modification so it looks stepped and rounded. In fine condition, the color seems to vary depending on the light source from a brownish to orange hue. The matrix is a thin plate with a druse of clear Calcite crystals.
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.
Olmiite with Calcite
stock #AX-14-260
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Kuruman,
South Africa
9 x 6.8 x 6 CM (cabinet)
price: $1250
Spring 2014
A large and esthetic 3-D cluster of Olmiite in "wet look" aggregates with a pinkish color. Far better that the average, this is an even more special specimen due to the well placed clear clusters of Calcites in parallel growth. The Calcite is in doubly terminated prisms that look very much like Quartz and have similar glassy luster. Olmiite was unknown as a mineral until 2006, it is only found at this one location worldwide. This piece displays well, is undamaged and presents from several angles.
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