Specimen #1749

Name: Natrolite on Inesite (rare combo)

Type: Mineral

Locality: Wessels Mine (Wessel's Mine), Hotazel, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa

Favorite? N

Fluorescent? N

Size: 10.1 x 9.2 x 6.2 cm

Weight: 394

Acquired: 2009-11-25

Source: Arkenstone Auction

Label: N

Comment: This specimen has value just for its beauty, but also happens to be a real rarity for what it is. Natrolite sprays of stark white crystals are shooting out from a vug of inesite, from this remarkable combo piece. Natrolite is rare in the Wessels and in the Kalahari in general. I am aware of only one pocket of the association in this quality and form, and this is a very large piece from the find (late 1980s, or early 90s i believe). The stark white natrolites have a sparkly lustre, and reach 3.25 cm in size. The contrast is just amazing, but again this is also an important locality piece for the species and has additional value for this fact.

Minerals: Inesite (Ca₂Mn₇Si₁₀O₂₈(OH)_{2 5}(H₂O)) Natrolite (Na₂[Al₂Si₃O₁₀] ₂(H₂O))

There are 3 pictures on file

M01749-01.jpg:

Natrolite on Inesite (rare combo), Wessels Mine (Wessel's Mine), Hotazel, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa - 10.1 x 9.2 x 6.2 cm

M01749-02.jpg:

Natrolite on Inesite (rare combo), Wessels Mine (Wessel's Mine), Hotazel, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa

M01749-03.jpg:

Natrolite on Inesite (rare combo), Wessels Mine (Wessel's Mine), Hotazel, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa