OLMI1013
Olmiite
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari, South Africa
Small Cabinet, 9.2 x 6.8 x 6.1 cm
SOLD
One of the very few larger specimens of matrix, rich with multiple crystals to 8 mm 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 luster, 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, flattened, 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.