FTN22-35
Thaumasite
N'Chwaning I Mine, Kalahari manganese field, Northern Cape, South Africa
Thumbnail, 1.5 x 0.7 x 0.6 cm
Ex. Shields and Frances Flynn
$1,160.00 Payment Plan Available
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This very rare mineral species was found in this quality only once, in the late 1990s, in South Africa. A single huge discovery provided most of the world's supply at the time, and this was purchased by Shields Flynn from prominent South African dealer Clive Quiet when that pocket came to Tucson. This is a calcium silicate mineral, containing silicon atoms in an unusual octahedral configuration but more importantly to us, forming beautiful yellow crystals that look like cut gems! This is a relatively large, very colorful, gem crystal of the species. It actually could be cut into a rare gem, come to think of it. It is also doubly terminated (and in fact should best be displayed at a mounted diagonal rather than a vertical, in a thumbnail exhibit).