06/04/2023
I think this is a better view ..A older specimen from the more uncommon Hotazel Mine, Hotazel, Kalahari manganese field, Northern Cape, South Africa This exceptional Rhodochrosite on Manganite presents vermillion to carmine red, shield 🛡 shaped aggregates of small tabular crystals as captured in the accompanying picture The piece presents well from multiple angles with an undulating terrain informed by the manganite base over which the rhodochrosite has formed a layered as a uniform deposit about 3 mm thick.This produces the effect of countless variegate sparkling reflections of light from literally hundreds of individual flat trigonal plates. Under glass individual crystal aggregates are highly translucent to nearly transparent with internal refraction of light. Mindat reports that fan shaped aggregates from this area are believed to be extremely rare.This specimen was acquired directly from Clive Queit back in the heyday of the early 1980s and has been stored in a protective cabinet ever since.The crystallization is unblemished but for some minor abrasion around the perimeter, most likely as a consequence of its handling at the mine as is often the case with soft minerals, this small amount of edgewear Is to be anticipated, and is very minor and hardly a distraction Size:32 x 25 x 16 mm. Ex Coll. Clive Queit ..a notable South African collector currently in the collection of Mineral Wonders