New find of uniquely crystallized OLMIITE from the KALAHARI MANGANESE FIELDS !

These specimens come from a remarkable single pocket, professionally collected by Paul Balayer in 2009 from deep in a new area of the mine (from N'chwaning II mine, 43-drive lower levels), and are distinct in crystal habit from previous finds of this beautiful and very rare species. Recent scientific work has shown this material to be a new species, similar to previously-known poldervaartite.

NOTE: Nearly all specimens have identical color in person, unless otherwise stated. Note that these are extraordinarily color-sensitive to the light spectrum in which they are viewed. They are more red/pink in spectrum-balanced halogen or normal sunlight, and more peachy-pink in fluorescent lighting. Our photos are taken with over-the-counter, sun-balanced Halogen bulbs and the specimens appear as they would in balanced light (and not overdone with color adjustments or strong light) with the lightsource placed at a foot or so away.

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- 14 specimens selected - back to the Galleries

OLMI1016 - Olmiite - £ 7964 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
large cabinet, 16.7 x 8.6 x 6.6 cm

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This is THE LARGEST FINE PLATE FOR SALE, from this pocket. The visual appeal is obvious. The crystals are sharp, and a unique color and oddly squarish crystal habit for the species. The sheer richness of this plate makes it important, but it is also aesthetic as well ( a combination I much admire). As with the other specimens of this style, all the crystals seem to be about 6-8mm in size. But there are so MANY of them here, and so robustly arranged in clusters and hillocks on this 3-dimensional matrix piece, that it is a gorgeous specimen for any species, rarity aside. And , even with as many olmiite as has been found of late, this is a radically different style and appearance. It looks for all the world like a Tsumeb cobaltian smithsonite specimen of top quality - and quite unlike previous finds of olmiite , with these unusual, flattenned, squarish crystals. I saw the majority of this pocket laid out in front of me, and this is one of the very few (under a dozen) large and fine specimens of this style that were found.It was the largest available for sale, in fact.

OLMI1015 - Olmiite - £ 5641 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
cabinet, 13.1 x 9.5 x 5.6 cm

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This is one of the few large plates found that has such rich coverage, and the visual appeal is obvious. The crystals are sharp, and a unique color, that stands out form other species I have seen. The sheer richness of this plate makes it important, but it is also aesthetic as well ( a combination I much admire). As with the other specimens of this style, all the crystals seem to be about 6-8mm in size. But there are so MANY of them here, it is a gorgeous specimen for any species, and even with as many olmiite as has been found of late, this is a radically different style and appearance. It looks for all the world like a Tsumeb cobaltian smithsonite specimen of top quality - and quite unlike previous finds of olmiite , with these unusual, flattenned, squarish crystals. I saw the majority of this pocket laid out in front of me, and this is one of the very few (under a dozen) large and fine specimens of this style that were found.

OLMI1014 - Olmiite - £ 1327 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
small cabinet, 9.3 x 8.5 x 7.5 cm

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As with the above, this is one of the very few larger specimens of matrix, rich with multiple crystals to 8mm individually though some are clustered into larger groups. These come from a small part of the pocket collected by well-known miner here, Paul Balayer. It is a very aesthetic specimen nearly 4 inches across, with remarkable contrast between the sharp and symmetric olmiites, and the rolling matrix underneath (sparkling little calcites dusted with white oyelite). This piece is very 3-dimensional, with elegant olmiite crystals climbing up one side like hikers on a mountain. The crystals have high lustre, great translucency, and a very unique overall aspect compared to other mineral specimens. It looks for all the world like a Tsumeb cobaltian smithsonite specimen of top quality - and quite unlike previous finds of olmiite , with these unusual, flattenned, squarish crystals. I saw the majority of this pocket laid out in front of me, and this is one of the very few (under a dozen) large and fine specimens of this style that were found.

OLMI1013 - Olmiite - £ 2323 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
small cabinet, 9.2 x 6.8 x 6.1 cm

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One of the very few larger specimens of matrix, rich with multiple crystals to 8mm individually though some are clustered into larger groups. These come from a small part of the pocket collected by well-known miner here, Paul Balayer. It is a very aesthetic specimen nearly 4 inches across, with remarkable contrast between the sharp and symmetric olmiites, and the rolling matrix underneath (sparkling little calcites dusted with white oyelite). This piece is very 3-dimensional, like a mountain, crystallized around on all sides almost , excepting only a slight contacted strip on the back. The crystals have high lustre, great translucency, and a very unique overall aspect compared to other mineral specimens. It looks for all the world like a Tsumeb cobaltian smithsonite specimen of top quality - and quite unlike previous finds of olmiite , with these unusual, flattenned, squarish crystals. I saw the majority of this pocket laid out in front of me, and this is one of the very few (under a dozen) large and fine specimens of this style that were found.

OLMI1010 - Olmiite - £ 398 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
miniature, 5 x 2.6 x 2.5 cm

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One of the very few specimens of matrix, rich with multiple crystals (to 8mm), from a small part of the pocket collected by well-known miner here, Paul Balayer. It is a very aesthetic miniature, with high lustre, great translucency, and a very unique overall aspect compared to other finds and species. It looks for all the world like a Tsumeb cobaltian smithsonite specimen of top quality - and quite unlike previous finds of olmiite. This richly covered style was uncommon in the pocket

OLMI1009 - Olmiite - £ 796 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
miniature, 2.9 x 2.0 x 1.8 cm

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A sharp 1.8 x 1.7 x 1.6-cm crystal perched delicately atop a natural pedestal of calcite and oyelite-covered matrix. This is a very elegant specimen, a perfect thumbnail and for its size my favorite of the lot in terms of exemplifying the aesthetic and quality factors in a world-class thumbnail specimen for this species. This was one of the best of its size class, as picked by the collector, as well. It is a SHARP specimen with amazing geometry to it and the crystal atop really is freestanding, as dramatic as you can ask for.

OLMI1008 - Olmiite - £ 996 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
miniature, 5 x 3 x 2.7 cm

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This crystal cluster is the largest I saw from the pocket in good condition, of what was released for sale. It is a HUGE composite crystal that is 3 cm long, across the front! The crystal growth curves, drawing the eye. The color is a unique pinkish-red that changes intensity from halogen to fluorescent lighting, and the crystal is super-lustrous (more so than any other piece in this lot). This is a MAJOR minaiture specimen, from a unique new pocket and find.

OLMI1007 - Olmiite - £ 830 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
miniature, 4.6 x 3.1 x 2.4 cm

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OLMI1006 - Olmiite - £ 299 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
miniature, 3.6 x 3.1 x 2.6 cm

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An unusually sharp, square-like crystal that is 1.5 cm on edge and about 2 cm across the diagonal, perched nicely in contrasting matrix of calcite and oyelite. All terminations are complete!

OLMI1005 - Olmiite - £ 232 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
thumbnail, 2.7 x 2.3 x 2.0 cm

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A Sydney opera house replica in olmiite, this standing wave of graduated crystals in a cluster measures about an inch across, and is perfectly terminated on all tips! Beautifully perched on a small bit of matrix, with calcite association.

OLMI1004 - Olmiite - £ 166 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
thumbnail, 2.2 x 1.9 x 1.7 cm

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Olmiite from N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa [db_pics/new2010/de04a.jpg]

A stunning, symmetric crystal on a small pinnacle of matrix. The crystal is 2 cm across, just about 2 cm depth, and 1.5 cm on side edge

OLMI1003 - Olmiite - £ 100 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
miniature, 4.2 x 2.3 x 1.8 cm

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A sharp, symmetric, lustrous crystal measureing 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.8 cm on matrix, with associated oyelite and calcite.

OLMI1002 - Olmiite - £ 216 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
miniature, 2.9 x 2.3 x 1.5 cm

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A cute doublet of two crystals, matched in size at about 1.6 cm tall, perched on a bit of sparing matrix shard behind them.

OLMI1001 - Olmiite - £ 498 SOLD
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
thumbnail, 2.4 x 2.2 x 2.0 cm

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A stunning, symmetric crystal on a small bit of matrix at its base. The crystal is 2.25 cm across, just about 1.5 cm depth, and 2 cm on side edge. It is a big fattie, for the find, one of the most robust and large of this unusual new habit for the species . So far as I know, this is a new habit for the species. This is from a small pocket collected by Paul Balayer with permission in the mines, in late 2009

- 14 specimens selected - back to the Galleries

Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com

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