$310Median
3Sold (12 mo)
$310Last sale
Shigaite
31 in the gallery
Shigaite is a manganese aluminum hydroxide mineral that typically forms as small, platy to tabular aggregates. The color range is brown to orange-brown with a dull to earthy lustre, and crystals are commonly flaky or layered, sometimes appearing in micro-crystalline masses. The mineral’s locality data highlight notable specimens from South Africa and the United States, where it occurs in hydrothermal or supergene environments associated with manganese-rich ore deposits. Collectors prize shigaite for its rarity, distinctive composition, and the way its habit reveals the mineral’s crystallographic layering at the micro scale.
- Formula
- Mn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)64)2 · 6H2O
Where Shigaite is found
Top localities
- N'Chwaning I Mine3 specimens
- Homer Mine3 specimens
- N'Chwaning II Mine2 specimens
- N'Chwaning Mines2 specimens
About Shigaite
In hand samples, shigaite’s appearance is often subtle, making it a good candidate for display alongside other Mn-rich minerals. While not usually dramatic in crystal size, the mineral’s mineralogical intrigue lies in its composition and the context of its formation, offering a window into manganese-aluminum hydrothermal processes. Specimens from proven deposits provide reference points for identifying shigaite and appreciating its place among manganese-bearing minerals in modern collections.
